It is noted that new mirrors are being installed on London buses. These mirrors have two mirrors in one. It is apparent that TfL mandated this, is this correct? Who mandated this? What department or section of TfL mandated this? How was the union Unite consulted over this? It is apparent to drivers that the union Unite and it's H&S reps were not consulted, how will you ensure that TfL consult it's stakeholders consulted in future and for these mirrors. Ca you provide me with any documentation, minutes and emails where the union and bus operators were consulted on these mirrors? Please attach the last four tripartite meeting minutes.

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TfL Ref: 3362-1920

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 3 February 2020 asking for information about mirrors on TfL Buses.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.  I can confirm that we hold  the information you require. Your questions and our replies are as below:

It is noted that new mirrors are being installed on London buses. These mirrors have two mirrors in one.

It is apparent that TfL mandated this, is this correct?

Yes, better visibility of blind spot mirrors are part of the new Bus Safety Standard for London. TfL has made them a requirement on new buses as part of its vehicle specification for London. This change followed dialogue with the bus operators and drivers. Because these mirrors are low cost but can bring a safety benefit to other road users, particularly pedestrians and cyclists, TfL and the operators have been retrofitting these mirrors to the existing fleet. Separately, the union Unite was also kept abreast of our Bus Safety Programme plans as part of the Mayor’s Vision Zero through the quarterly Tripartite Meeting.

Who mandated this?

See above.

What department or section of TfL mandated this?

The Buses team within TfL implemented this.

How was the union Unite consulted over this?

Unite are kept up to date on progress of the Bus Safety Programme via the quarterly tripartite meetings. Operators liaise directly with staff over operational matters and engaged with their local representatives prior to starting the retrofit of the mirrors to the existing fleet.

It is apparent to drivers that the union Unite and it's H&S reps were not consulted, how will you ensure that TfL consult it's stakeholders consulted in future and for these mirrors.

We would expect health and safety representatives to raise any concerns they have about engagement with their operators to resolve issues. More strategic matters that do not cover the local arrangements they have with operators can be brought to the Tripartite Meeting.

Can you provide me with any documentation, minutes and emails where the union and bus operators were consulted on these mirrors.

All engagement on the bus safety mirrors (BSMs) was set out in the Bus Safety Standard which we shared and discussed with Unite during the tripartite meetings and in informal meetings and briefings.  The mirrors have been in operation at two of the larger bus operators for some time; engagement happened predominantly prior to fitment at a local level between the operators and their drivers.

For completeness, the bus safety standard documents are available on our website using the following links:

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-safety-standard-executive-summary.pdf

http://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-safety-road-map-for-new-build-buses.pdf

Please attach the last four tripartite meeting minutes.

Please see attached.

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 and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.

Yours sincerely

Sara Thomas

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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