Clarified request: If the EIRFs are the reports that summarise train failure incidents for the Metropolitan Line, I would like copies of the EIRFs relating to each of the train failures reported on the Met Line's Twitter feed during November and December 2019. Please also send a copy of the Project Brief, PID, or whichever document acted as the resignalling project's basic briefing under whichever governance methodology the project used. Please also send a copy of the test plan for the implementation of the new signalling system.

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Our Ref: FOI-2814-1920

FOI Request – Metropolitan Line Delays

Thank you for your request received on 13 December 2019 asking for information about the delays on the Metropolitan Line.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm we hold some of the information you require.

The Four Lines Modernisation (4LM) programme is a £5.4 billion project to modernise the trains, track and signalling on the oldest parts of the Underground – the Metropolitan, District, Hammersmith & City and Circle lines. This work will improve journeys on 40 per cent of the Tube network, and is the largest single upgrade in the history of the Underground. It will result in greater capacity and improved frequency, as well as improved journey times, better reliability and better customer information.

Customers have already seen the benefits of the brand new walk-through air conditioned trains.

On 2 September 2019, a section of new digital signalling was introduced on the District, Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, from Latimer Road to Finchley Road and Euston Square, with trains operating automatically on those sections of the route. Despite extensive testing prior to going live, while running the new software with the trains in a live environment we have experienced software reliability issues which have resulted in a number of incidents of disruption for our customers.

We are working closely with our signalling supplier to find robust fixes and have already taken a number of steps that have resulted in gradual improvements to reliability, and continue to work hard to address these issues. This includes modifications to part of the signal communication system on the trains, modifications to some of the track-side infrastructure and a further software upgrade by our key supplier – whilst all the time placing safety as the priority. We have also investigated the key locations where incidents took place, and placed dedicated extra staff there to enable us to respond to incidents immediately. We appreciate the continued patience of our customers while we work to deliver long-term improvements to their service.

You asked:

If the EIRFs are the reports that summarise train failure incidents for the Metropolitan Line, I would like copies of the EIRFs relating to each of the train failures reported on the Met Line's Twitter feed during November and December 2019.

The EIRFs do not summarise train failure incidents for the Metropolitan Line, however I have enclosed a spreadsheet that details fleet, track and signalling-related incidents on the Metropolitan Line between November and the date of your request.

Please also send a copy of the Project Brief, PID, or whichever document acted as the re-signalling project's basic briefing under whichever governance methodology the project used.

Information on the need for the 4LM programme is available on our website, along with up to date information on the current status of the project:

https://tfl.gov.uk/travel-information/improvements-and-projects/four-lines-modernisation

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/iipag-annual-report-2016-17.pdf

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/board-20150701-part-1-item15-four-lines-modernisation.pdf

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/fpc-160121-item11-four-lines-modernisation.pdf

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/fpc-160708-13-four-lines-atc.pdf

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/pic-20171013-agenda-item07.pdf

In accordance with section 21 of the FOI Act, TfL is not obliged to supply you with a copy of the requested information as it is already accessible to you elsewhere.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for some reason, please feel free to contact me.

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

Yours sincerely

 

Gemma Jacob
FOI Case Officer
[email protected]

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