Request ID: FOI-2642-2122 Date published: 18 March 2022
You asked
Follow-up to FOI-2360-2122: Thank you for the reply.
I understand that the answer to number 2 is incorrect and should have read "TfL would welcome the opportunity to expand the scheme and have conducted analysis to find suitable areas, however, these are unfunded aspirations, not plans."
I would like to request the analysis to find suitable areas which has been conducted.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-2642-2122
Thank you for your request of 14th February 2022 asking for information about the cycle hire scheme.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked, in response to case ref FOI-2360-2122:
“ I understand that the answer to number 2 is incorrect and should have read "TfL would welcome the opportunity to expand the scheme and have conducted analysis to find suitable areas, however, these are unfunded aspirations, not plans." I would like to request the analysis to find suitable areas which has been conducted.”
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. TfL has carried some analysis of potential areas in which to expand the scheme. This work is ongoing and the analysis is not yet complete. However, the partial analysis that we currently hold is exempt from disclosure under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act. This exemption applies to material where disclosure would, or would be likely to, prejudice the commercial interests of any legal person. In this case we believe that TfL would be likely to be commercially prejudiced by release of the information - for the reasons set out below.
The release of information under FOI is considered to be release to the world at large rather than the individual applicant. TfL plans for our Cycle Hire scheme to become self-funding and free from reliance on internal subsidy - money which could then be used to fund other areas of TfL. If we were to release our work on potential expansion of the scheme (work carried out at TfL’s expense over a number of months) this would provide competitors to the scheme (such as other cycle hire operators or, potentially in the future, competitors from the emerging e-scooter rental market) information that could negatively impact any plans for expansion, as those competitors may then target the same areas. Release of the information could also prejudice future funding discussions with boroughs, private developers and contracted suppliers, all of which will be critical to realising any potential expansion. This would all be to the detriment of the TfL Cycle Hire scheme and hence the public purse (note that TfL is largely funded by Government subsidy and fares revenue.)
The application of the section 43 exemption is subject to consideration of the ‘Public Interest Test’ - whereby we have to judge whether the overall balance of public interest favours the exemption applying and the information being withheld, or in releasing it in any event. We appreciate the need for openness and transparency in the operation of our business and the fact that you have requested the information is in itself an argument for release. However, in this instance we believe the overall balance of public interest lies in the exemption applying, in order to ensure that TfL secures the best value for public money in any future expansion of the scheme, as rationalised above.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
