Request ID: FOI-2671-2122 Date published: 07 March 2022
You asked
I’m searching for some information regarding the staff employed at underground train stations around the world and was wondering if you could assist me with your knowledge.
I’m trying to find what is a standard or an average number of service employees at underground metro/light-rail stations, in different countries around the world. I’m specifically looking for information regarding the role description (general station management, information services, ticketing services, etc.) and the positioning of the employee in the station itself (ticketing hall, platforms, etc.), for each role. I’m also looking to understand the relation between the station’s size (number of floor or entries) and the average number of passengers that go through the station at rush hour.
If you have any knowledge or data that you’re willing to share with me, to help find answers to these questions, I’d be delighted to hear.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-2671-2122
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 14th February 2022 asking for information about staff employed at London Underground stations.
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 some of the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below:
Question 1: I’m trying to find what is a standard or an average number of service employees at underground metro/light-rail stations, in different countries around the world.
Answer: There is no standard number on the London Underground. The number of staff on duty at any moment varies by station footprint, complexity, customer numbers and the date/time. For example, at one end of the scale Kings Cross can have up to 30 staff on duty during the peaks whereas small, open air stations may only have one staff member on duty.
Question 2: I’m specifically looking for information regarding the role description (general station management, information services, ticketing services, etc.) and the positioning of the employee in the station itself (ticketing hall, platforms, etc.), for each role.
Answer: Job Descriptions for operational station staff are provided in the attached folder.
Question 3: I’m also looking to understand the relation between the station’s size (number of floor or entries) and the average number of passengers that go through the station at rush hour.
Answer: The following page of our website shows the number of passenger exits / entries, which can be filtered by individual station and different timeframes:
Select “Understood - take me to the reports” and “Demand by station type” - you can then select a specific station from the menu on the right. We do not hold a collated list of stations by “size”, which could be defined in various different ways. If your require more specific data for any particular station please let me know and we can consider it as a new request.
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
