Press visit to Germany to view the new London Underground 2024 Tube Stock for the Piccadilly Line.
Request ID: FOI-3011-2324 Date published: 20 December 2023
You asked
On the 17th November, members of the press including journalists from the UK were invited to Germany to see the new 2024 Tube Stock for the Piccadilly Line.
As an independent journalist, I did not get invited, and I did not receive a press release from your mailing list including video footage and photographs of the new 2024 Tube Stock. I did email Siemens press team and they did not reply to my email.
Therefore, I have a FOI request in relation to this.
1. What is the criteria for the journalists to be invited to Germany and other events that are exclusive to the press?
2. Can you reveal the number of journalists that were invited to visit Germany to view the new train?
3. Did TfL pay for their expenses, including airplane flights (or Eurostar), taxi fares, hotels, etc. for their staff and invited journalists? If yes, can you tell me how much TfL spent for the expenses?
4. Did the staff and journalists get paid to visit Germany?
5. Can you supply me the press release, including photos and video footage of your new 2024 Tube Stock train?
6. Can you publish the email or contract in relation to the visit?
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-3011-2324
Thank you for your request received on 23 November 2023 asking for information about the recent press visit for the new Piccadilly line stock.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked:
1. What is the criteria for the journalists to be invited to Germany and other events that are exclusive to the press? 2. Can you reveal the number of journalists that were invited to visit Germany to view the new train? 3. Did TfL pay for their expenses, including airplane flights (or Eurostar), taxi fares, hotels, etc. for their staff and invited journalists? If yes, can you tell me how much TfL spent for the expenses?
The media were invited directly by Siemens Mobility’s Communications team. Flights were paid for by Siemens Mobility, the trip was arranged as a day trip for the media so there were no hotel costs for them. We do not hold information on the number of journalists that were invited to the event or the criteria for those invited.
4. Did the staff and journalists get paid to visit Germany?
TfL staff did not receive any additional renumeration to attend the event.
5. Can you supply me the press release, including photos and video footage of your new 2024 Tube Stock train?
The press release is available on the Siemens website:
