TfL Ref: 2517-2425
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 6 November 2024 asking for information about Stanmore station car park
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below:
Parking charges at Stanmore station increased by 50% in October 2024. I would like any information and documentation relating to:
- how that decision was made, including any documents relating to how the 50% was worked out and agreed
TfL sets the tariffs for all its car parks. This is the first review of car park tariffs in five years and these changes ensure that they better reflect similar parking charges in the local area. Advance notices were installed four weeks prior to the tariff change.
Please see the following documents attached:
Record of Decision: Places for London Car Park Tariff Revisions,
Briefing note on the car park tariff changes
A copy of the customer EQIA.
Some of the information in these documents including details of how SABA has carried out analysis with regards to setting new car parking tariffs, has been redacted as it is exempt from disclosure under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act. The exemption applies to information where its release would prejudice the commercial interests of SABA who manage TfL’s car parks, as well as TfL itself. If details of this analysis were released this would provide SABA’s direct competitors with a commercial advantage. This, in turn, may impact upon SABA’s decision to participate in future tenders, to the detriment of any procurement exercises. Without the most competitive market possible, TfL may not secure the best value for money in those future tenders, ultimately at the expense of the public purse. We therefore believe that in this instance the greater public interest rests in the exemption applying and the information being withheld. This approach has been agreed by the Information Commissioner before in relation to other, similar requests, as reflected in the following Decision Notice. While the specific details are different, the principles are the same:
https://ico.org.uk/media/action-weve-taken/decision-notices/2014/944676/fs_50510317.pdf
As a ‘qualified’ exemption, the use of section 43(2) is subject to consideration of the ‘public interest test’ to determine whether it is in the greater public interest for the exemption to apply and the information to be withheld, or for it to be released in any event. We appreciate the need for openness and transparency in the operation of our business, and the fact you have requested the information is in itself an argument in favour of release. However, as a largely publicly funded authority we have a responsibility to secure the best value for the public purse, which includes ensuring that we do not prejudice our negotiations for similar contracts in the future. In this case we believe that the greater public interests rests in the exemption applying, to ensure no prejudice takes place which would undermine our ability to secure the best value in any future, similar contracts.
Please also note that in accordance with TfL’s obligations under Data Protection legislation some personal data has been removed, as required by section 40(2) of the FOI Act. This is because disclosure of this personal data would be a breach of the legislation, specifically the first principle which requires all processing of personal data to be fair and lawful. It would not be fair to disclose this personal information when the individuals have no expectation it would be disclosed and TfL has not satisfied one of the conditions which would make the processing ‘fair’.
- how the revenue is split between TFL and its partners Saba and Pay By Phone
TfL receives all parking revenue which is then reinvested into London’s transport network.
- plans for how the additional revenue generated will be invested back into the station
TfL have delivered a range of improvement works, including resurfacing, speed calming measures, lining and electrical works, a further programme of improvement works are planned for for 2024 and beyond
- a breakdown of costs for all other TFL car parks, including price increases in the last two years
The old and current tariffs for our car parks can be found in the attached documents. We do not hold maintenance costs for individual car parks as these are included in the wider contract covering all our car parks. A copy of the contract can be accessed online via the following link: Car Park Management Services - Contracts Finder
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,
Sara Thomas
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
