Request ID: FOI-3792-2324 Date published: 19 February 2024
You asked
In FOI request FOI-3301-2324, you noted that "We expect the recent motor failures to be addressed by February 2024". Please provide a fuller response to this, Feburary 1st or 29th?
Is this timeline sitll viable.
Will the 'normal' service levels be restored after this date?
19
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-3792-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 23rd January 2024 asking for information about delays on the Central line.
Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
Specifically you asked the following, further to case reference FOI-3301-2324:
“In FOI request FOI-3301-2324, you noted that "We expect the recent motor failures to be addressed by February 2024". Please provide a fuller response to this, Feburary 1st or 29th?
Is this timeline still viable.
Will the 'normal' service levels be restored after this date?”.
Over the last year we have seen an increase in the number of unavailable trains on the line for customer service. This is mostly due to the age of the train and the need for essential repair works to keep the trains going. Trains have also been removed from service to support the delivery of the Central Line Improvement Programme (CLIP). Since late 2023, we have experienced an abnormally high number of traction motor failures on our Central line trains. When this happens, we have no choice but to withdraw the affected train from service and replace the damaged traction motor with one that has been repaired.
Our engineers are urgently working to repair and overhaul the damaged motors, but this is a complex process undertaken by highly skilled, specialist technicians. Alongside the repair work, we have put in place additional arrangements to increase our supply of spare motors. This will allow us to start to rebuild some resilience and improve services over the coming weeks, reducing the number of trains out-of-service and allowing us to return trains to customer service more quickly.
While this should help improve services for customers, the motor failures are still occurring at a higher rate than we’ve seen before so some disruption to normal service levels is likely to continue. We are continuing to work urgently to identify further solutions, keeping our customers and stakeholders updated. In the meantime, customers should continue to allow more time for their journeys, check before travelling and consider using alternative routes to or through central London. We are also investing in the fleet in the long-term via CLIP. This £500m programme will boost future reliability by replacing the train’s ageing Direct Current traction system with a modern, digitally controlled, equivalent that uses simple Alternating Current (AC) motors, as well as providing wheelchair bays, better customer information systems, CCTV in carriages and new seating. The first completely refurbished train is now in customer service.
Despite our initial estimation for a resolution in February, we are still experiencing a high number of traction motor failures. This has meant a delay in resuming to a normal level of service. We have put in place additional arrangements both with our specialist suppliers and our own in-house engineering team to increase the rate at which we can repair or replace defective motors. To enable these works and to provide a better, more regulated service we are implementing a temporary timetable. While this is not the resumption of a normal service this is a necessary step we are taking to ensure customers have a regular and frequent service. We apologise for any inconvenience caused to customers, and are confident that we are taking all measures to improve the service.
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 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,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
