TfL Ref: 2802-2425

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 2 December 2024 asking for information about ball point pens usage on our Tube gatelines.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. You specifically asked: I understand that your gateline staff now carry out all of their duties electronically and are not given access to ballpoint pens to endorse paper tickets. Please advise when this decision was made and send me a copy of the relevant policy.

We do not hold the information you have requested. Endorsing tickets with a pen has not been a London Underground procedure for gate line staff since at least before the introduction of the Underground Ticketing System (UTS) in the 1980's and possibly not even prior to this – however we are unable to confirm any further information as this is before Transport for London came into existence in July 2000.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely,

Sara Thomas
FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London