Request ID: FOI-2950-2324 Date published: 08 December 2023
You asked
Dear Transport for London,
My request pertains to specific details about the rebalancing strategy employed for the Santander Cycle Hire service since the year 2016 to present in line with the trip data make publicly available.
Specifically, I am interested in the following data:
Rebalancing Actions Details (2016 - Present):
Pickup Location ID
Dropoff Location ID
Rebalancing Vehicle ID
Date and Time (interval)
I would like this information on a per bike basis or per action/service basis with route information if available.
Rebalancing Vehicle Information:
Vehicle ID
Capacity for rebalancing
Make and model of vehicle (for emissions information)
Daily service mileage
Any information relating to special variations of the rebalancing service for the new electric santander cycles is also welcomed, in particular;
- How are these cycles serviced in terms of their battery / charge levels
- What is the strategy for rebalancing and servicing these bikes.
- Data relating to the actions of service pertaining to these cycles since their introduction.
Please provide the information in an electronic format, if available. If some parts of this request are easier to answer than others, please provide the available information as soon as possible rather than delay the entire request.
If my request is too broad or unclear, I would be grateful if you could contact me as I understand that under the Act, you are required to advise and assist requesters.
The purpose of this request is to understand the operational aspects of the Santander Cycle Hire service, particularly how the rebalancing strategy is executed and the environmental impact of the vehicles used in this process. The data is to be used for educational research relating to optimising rebalancing strategies for transportation research.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-2950-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 15th November 2023 asking for information about the Santander 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:
“My request pertains to specific details about the rebalancing strategy employed for the Santander Cycle Hire service since the year 2016 to present in line with the trip data make publicly available.
Specifically, I am interested in the following data:
Rebalancing Actions Details (2016 - Present): Pickup Location ID Dropoff Location ID Rebalancing Vehicle ID Date and Time (interval)
I would like this information on a per bike basis or per action/service basis with route information if available.
Rebalancing Vehicle Information: Vehicle ID Capacity for rebalancing Make and model of vehicle (for emissions information) Daily service mileage
Any information relating to special variations of the rebalancing service for the new electric santander cycles is also welcomed, in particular;
- How are these cycles serviced in terms of their battery / charge levels - What is the strategy for rebalancing and servicing these bikes. - Data relating to the actions of service pertaining to these cycles since their introduction.”
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. However, I am afraid it is exempt from release under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, which can apply where release of information would be commercially prejudicial. The rationale for this is explained below.
The release of information under FOI is considered to be to the world at large rather than the individual applicant. The current bike management contract is due to be re-let and TfL will be looking to negotiate the best value for money contract through that procurement exercise. In that procurement we are keen to see innovation from potential suppliers, and therefore would want any bidders to build their own distribution strategy. Release of the requested information would in effect reveal the current rebalancing strategy, to the detriment of that desire to see innovation.
As a ‘qualified’ exemption, the use of section 43(2) is subject to consideration of the ‘public interest test’ to determine whether it is in the greater public interest for the exemption to apply and the information to be withheld, or for it to be released in any event. We appreciate the need for openness and transparency in the operation of our business, and the fact you have requested the information is in itself an argument in favour of release. However, we also have a responsibility to secure the best value when spending public money, and we believe that placing the requested information into the public domain would reduce innovation in the bids received, to the detriment of the procurement exercise. We therefore believe that the greater public interest rests in the exemption applying.
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
