FOI request detail

Taxi drivers - Civil Unrest

Request ID: FOI-2512-2425
Date published: 25 November 2024

You asked
As you know I have requested a text to be sent to Taxi Drivers when civil unrest happens here in London based on safety fears. At our last Senior Reps meeting I bought this up again which was dismissed out of hand. I feel batted out to the long grass where nothing will happen. I’m sure you will disagree with me. Can I have copies of any emails send by LTPH/TFL Department and received regarding this matter excluding myself. Can you explain to me how a Police Force in Scotland can send a text to Taxi Drivers over a Murder but TFL and the Met Police can’t send a text to Taxi Drivers advising them of civil unrest in London when it happens. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-22465194 As we are having weekly protests again will LTPH/TFL issue guidelines as to when a Taxi Driver can refuse a Taxi Fare based on fearing for his/her safety and possible attack from the other side due to passengers carrying flags or other items indicating a side. So far to date both LTPH and TFL have failed to take any action whatsoever on this subject. Can you please explain how there are plans in place to withdraw the bus and tube service from areas of civil unrest but nothing for warning Taxi Drivers. Who is the person responsible for Health and Safety at TFL. Please provide their name and email address. Taken from a recent TFL email today. Demonstrations Central London From 11:00 until 14:00 on Saturday 19 October, a mobile demonstration will take place through central London, forming up at Oxford Street. Large crowds are expected. From 13:30 until 17:00 on Saturday 19 October, a static demonstration will take place at Parliament Square. Large crowds are expected. With no route how can a Taxi Driver plan a work around route or avoid it. Clarification received 11/11/2024: Starting with the date of the original email going back in time from LTPH / TFL to any department and their replies. In others words did anyone take the issue of safety of Taxi Drivers seriously or was I just replied to and no action taken by the LTPH / TFL Department.

We answered

TfL Ref: FOI-2512-2425

 

Thank you for your email of 17th October 2024 asking for copies of emails about taxi drivers and civil unrest.

 

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. 

 

Specifically you asked:

 

“Can I have copies of any emails send by LTPH/TFL Department and received regarding this matter [i.e. taxi drivers and civil unrest] excluding myself.”

 

And;

 

“Who is the person responsible for Health and Safety at TFL. Please provide their name and email address.”

 

On 11th November 2024 you clarified that the emails in question date from 5th August 2024 onwards.

 

I can confirm that we hold the information you require.

 

In regard to the first question, the only material that falls within the scope of your request is the email attached. There was a separate email chain between Dan Maskell and yourself (the last email of which was sent by Dan to yourself on 18th November 2024 at 09.07) but as you have asked us to exclude anything sent to yourself this is not provided. I also understand that you raised this query directly with colleagues from our Taxi and Private Hire team at a quarterly stakeholder trade meeting and was provided with a comprehensive response at that meeting.

 

In regard to your second question, TfL’s Chief Safety, Health and Environment Officer is Lilli Matson (as reported on the Chief Officers section of our website here: https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/how-we-work/corporate-governance/chief-officers#on-this-page-6). The direct email addresses of TfL staff are exempt from disclosure under section 40(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, the exemption that protects against the unfair release of personal data. Anyone wishing to correspond with TfL can do so via the Help and Contacts page of our website, found here: https://tfl.gov.uk/help-and-contact/ Any correspondence received will be sent to the most appropriate team to address.

 

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

 

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed. 

 

Yours sincerely,

 

David Wells

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

 

Attachments

Email 8 August 2024 at 1038_Redacted.pdf

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