Request ID: FOI-3377-2324 Date published: 16 January 2024
You asked
Hey TfL FOI,
The new December 2023 pocket tube map has just been released a couple of weeks ago, and I have been reading your Press Release regarding the plan for next year's Art on the Underground artworks in the below links:
TfL website: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2023/december/tfl-announces-new-art-on-the-underground-artworks-for-2024
Art on the Underground website page: art.tfl.gov.uk/projects/2024-programme-announcement/
Reading through the article, I observed that there is a mention of a (pocket) Tube Map planned to be released in August next year - which is unusual given that for the past decades, almost every year we get a new pocket Tube Map released in May/ June & then in November - January, so I just wanted to ask you a couple of questions, in that...
1) Why is the Tube Map decided to be next published in August rather than the usual May/ June months for its summer edition?
2) & if that really is the case, will there be a May/ June edition planned to be published in addition to the August map?
3) Thirdly, what changes do we expect to see on the new map & will any of these changes occur:
- any new step-free accessible stations?
(any of these perhaps: Bermondsey reintroduced, Knightsbridge, Paddington Bakerloo, Catford, St Mary Cray, Petts Wood, Streatham, Plumstead, Tooting, Seven Sisters?)
- will Thameslink continue appearing on the Tube Map?
- London Overground lines given their own identity & colours as part of the Mayor's promise?
- will it also have 2 back advert versions like our current Dec 2023 pocket tube map (TfL Go app & Santander Cycles app adverts)
Of course I agree that there is a long time until August 2024 and a lot of discussions and map designs would take place in the coming months to prepare the map, but I just wanted to ask you what are the current plans for the next Tube Map based on the announcement of an August 2024 tube map in December 2023?
We answered
Our ref: FOI-3377-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 22 December 2023 asking for information about the 2024 pocket tube map.
Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy.
I can confirm that we do hold the information you require. You asked:
1) Why is the Tube Map decided to be next published in August rather than the usual May/ June months for its summer edition?
The tube map has been moved from May to August to try to capture the potential updates (engineering or otherwise) that may occur over the year rather than produce multiple editions. Over the last few years it has been less regularly produced in May to incorporate larger projects such as the Bank Blockade, Northern Line Extension etc.
2) & if that really is the case, will there be a May/ June edition planned to be published in addition to the August map?
No.
3) Thirdly, what changes do we expect to see on the new map & will any of these changes occur: - any new step-free accessible stations? (any of these perhaps: Bermondsey reintroduced, Knightsbridge, Paddington Bakerloo, Catford, St Mary Cray, Petts Wood, Streatham, Plumstead, Tooting, Seven Sisters?)
The changes to the map will be engineering projects. We are informed once they are almost complete (right before the press release) in case there is any over run. Of those you have listed, we are not made aware of what is being completed, only provided with an idea what part of the year it may be complete.
In regards to the Network Rail stations you may wish to direct your query to the Network Rail team.
- will Thameslink continue appearing on the Tube Map?
For the foreseeable future this is a City Hall decision.
- London Overground lines given their own identity & colours as part of the Mayor's promise?
TfL are unable to respond to this question. You may wish to direct your request to City Hall.
- will it also have 2 back advert versions like our current Dec 2023 pocket tube map (TfL Go app & Santander Cycles app adverts)
In accordance with the Freedom of Information Act, we are not obliged to provide you with this information as it is subject to a statutory exemption to the right of access to information under section 43(2). In this instance the section 43(2) exemption has been applied as disclosure of the information requested would be likely to prejudice the commercial interests of TfL and/or the company used to provide the adverts as discussions around the advert spaces are currently ongoing.
The use of this exemption is subject to an assessment of the public interest in relation to the disclosure of the information concerned. We recognise the need for openness and transparency by public authorities, but in this instance feel that the balance lies in favour of withholding the information to ensure that release of Tube maps can continue to be able to operate effectively without being placed at a commercial disadvantage. Please refer to the Decision Notice issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office for further details: https://ico.org.uk/media/action-weve-taken/decision-notices/2017/2172517/fs50676040.pdf.
If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely,
Tahsin Prima FOI Case Officer General Counsel Transport for London
