Request ID: FOI-3424-2324 Date published: 23 February 2024
You asked
I have questions about Project Detroit (https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-1983-2223).
What is the current annual cost of the contract that Detroit will replace?
Have attempts been made to negotiate a renewal price of that contract?
If they have, what is the quoted price to keep it running?
If attempts have not been made, why haven’t they?
Assuming a formal decision has been made not to renew or seek to renew the contract in 2026, please provide a copy of the official record of that decision and of the internal documents that recommended not renewing and explaining the rationale for that decision.
On Detroit how much of the total resource (in terms of cash (£ and %) and headcount (£, numbers of staff and %) and physical infrastructure (£ and %)) is dedicated to the pay per mile element of the project?
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-3424-2324 Thank you for your request received on 30 December 2023 asking for information about Project Detroit. 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:
What is the current annual cost of the contract that Detroit will replace?
The current contract combines both the system and service. Project Detroit will replace the systems element once the current contract expires. A separate procurement will be used to secure a supplier for a new service-based contract. TfL is not billed separately for the system and service elements of the current contract, however, it is estimated that the total annual cost for the system that Project Detroit will replace is approximately £8m.
Have attempts been made to negotiate a renewal price of that contract?
No attempts been made to negotiate a renewal price of the existing contract. TfL is building a new core technology platform for road user charging to replace the currently outsourced system, so a renewal of the existing contract has not been sought.
If they have, what is the quoted price to keep it running?
Not applicable (see 2 above).
If attempts have not been made, why haven’t they?
Assuming a formal decision has been made not to renew or seek to renew the contract in 2026, please provide a copy of the official record of that decision and of the internal documents that recommended not renewing and explaining the rationale for that decision.
Attempts have not been made because the current service contracts which support the delivery of Road User Charging (RUC) Operations expire in September 2026 and TfL is preparing to procure replacement contracts for the services which will support RUC operations after they expire. On Detroit how much of the total resource (in terms of cash (£ and %) and headcount (£, numbers of staff and %) and physical infrastructure (£ and %)) is dedicated to the pay per mile element of the project? No resource, headcount or physical infrastructure on Project Detroit is dedicated to pay-per-mile. The scope of the project is to replicate the capability of the existing charging systems which support the business operation of the Congestion Charge, the Low Emission Zone (LEZ), the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), Direct Vision Standard and, from 2025, charges for the use of the Silvertown and Blackwall tunnels. TfL teams are not undertaking any work on pay-per- mile road user charging schemes. As has been explained previously, pay-per-mile charging has been ruled out by the Mayor and no such scheme is on the table. 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
