Metropolitan Line Testing
Request ID: FOI-3203-1920
Date published: 18 February 2020
You asked
Refined request from FOI-2840-1920:
If possible I would like to refine my request through this e-mail reply to request the information in a spreadsheet format, with just the raw test data. As long as I have the raw test data I would be able to pivot and make sense of the information within. I do hope by supplying me the test data in its raw format it will significantly reduce the effort required by you, and remove the need to analyse the information, thus significantly reducing the cost of supplying me with the information I require.
Original request:
Since September 2019 and through to today, 19th December 2019, customers have experience significant delays, and on twitter we have been told 500 test trains were run for testing to establish the worthiness of the new Thales signalling system.
My request is to have visibility of the entire test plan mapped out, highlighting in particular, the date, time, and duration a particular train was sent down the test route. The purpose is to establish whether the test plan accurately reflected the expected rush hour capacity the new system would have to handle, and whether a satisfactory number of different locomotive units were used to be reflective of the rolling stock currently in use, i.e. S7, S7+1, and S8, therefore by providing train identification will also help to highlight this in the return of information.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-3203-1920
Thank you for your revised request received on 21 December 2019 asking for information about the Metropolitan Line testing.
Your request will be processed in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
I can confirm we do hold the information you require. Unfortunately, to provide the information you have requested would still exceed the ‘appropriate limit’ of £450 set by the Freedom of Information (Appropriate Limit and Fees) Regulations 2004.
As previously advised, under section 12 of the FOI Act, we are not obliged to comply with a request if we estimate that the cost of determining whether we hold the information, locating and retrieving it and extracting it from other information would exceed the appropriate limit. This is calculated at £25 per hour for every hour spent on the activities described.
To fulfil the revised request we would still need to provide details of all test runs we have done over the last few years. We record test results and data logs, and do not collate in one spreadsheet the specific train runs (train movements). To collate this would require dedicating resources to go back through all playbacks over multiple weekends which would take more than 18 hours to complete the review and provide the data even in a raw spreadsheet format. Our principal duty is to provide an effective transport service for London, in order to provide this information this resource would be diverted from the project delivery work they are currently undertaking and as a result risk extending the programme.
To help bring the cost of responding to your request within the £450 limit, you may wish to consider narrowing its scope further. If there are specific questions you have regarding the testing we may be able to provide information on this rather than the actual test data. If you want to refine your request or make a Freedom of Information Act request in future, please bear in mind that the Freedom of Information Act allows you to request recorded information held by Transport for London. You should identify the information that you want as clearly and concisely as you can, specifying the types of document that you are looking for.
Although your request can take the form of a question, rather than a request for specific documents, TfL does not have to answer your question if it would require the creation of new information or the provision of a judgement, explanation, advice or opinion that was not already recorded at the time of your request.
Please note that we will not be taking further action until we receive your revised request.
In the meantime, if you have any queries or would like to discuss your request, please feel free to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely
Gemma Jacob
Senior FOI Case Officer
FOI Case Management Team
General Counsel
Transport for London
[email protected]
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