Request ID: FOI-3206-2324 Date published: 15 February 2024
You asked
In relation to the early scoping and feasibility work for a potential Future Road User Charging (RUC) project, as described in the TfL board papers from September 2022, please could you disclose:
• The total amount of money spent on scoping and feasibility work for future RUC.
• The number of staff involved in this work.
• Any and all documents or correspondence that describe the conclusions reached as a result of this feasibility study and potential next steps.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-3206-2324
Thank you for your request received on 11 December 2023 asking for information about the Future Road User Charging (RUC) project. I apologise for the delay in my response.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIRs) and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. You asked for:
• The total amount of money spent on scoping and feasibility work for future RUC
Since its formation over two decades ago, TfL has monitored the technological and policy options regarding road user charging (RUC). It is routine TfL officers to plan for different scenarios, including future mayoralties and government policies, and it is necessary for them to study possible ways that technological innovation could be used. Government and transport officials across the country have been researching the pay-per-mile concept for some time. Pay-per-mile charging has been ruled out by the Mayor and no such scheme is on the table or being developed. The Future RUC project referred to in the Programmes and Investment Committee (PIC) paper from September 2022 was initiated to explore the potential for a ‘smart road user charging’ scheme that could potentially replace existing charges, such as the Congestion Charge, Low Emission Zone (LEZ), and Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ) with a single RUC scheme that uses more sophisticated technology to make it as simple and fair as possible for Londoners. High-level policy questions were included in the public consultation that took place between May and July 2022. As noted in the PIC submission, a number of technical resource was also procured to support optioneering and undertake early development of functionalities which any potential future scheme could require. As of January 2024, approximately £3m had been spent on elements of the Future RUC project and it is now closed. Lessons learned from the early work on matters such as future architecture and integration have informed TfL’s wider work to bring in-house the currently outsourced system for which the contract expires in 2026.
• The number of staff involved in this work There are no staff currently employed full time to work on Future RUC. • Any and all documents or correspondence that describe the conclusions reached as a result of this feasibility study and potential next steps The exploratory work stopped before any formal conclusions had been reached. If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate 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
