TfL Ref: FOI-2873-2324
Thank you for your request which we received on 7 November 2023, asking for information about TfL’s bus refurbishment policy.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act (FOI) and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require.
We generally award new contracts for bus routes for a period of seven years. If the vehicles are mid-life (e.g. 7-8 years), rather than new at the point of contract award, we normally require the vehicles to be refurbished to enable them to serve the Capital for a further contract term.
The refurbishment program consists of a comprehensive survey of both the bus interior and exterior to report on all items, systems, components serviceability standards and to assess what needs either repairing or replacing for the bus to be used safely, comfortably and reliably for the next 7 years. These items include exterior body panels, windows, flooring, wheelchair bay symbol tile, hand poles, seating, interior panels, legal lettering, signage, emission standards and heating/cooling systems.
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.
Yours sincerely
Eva Hextall
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
