Two and a half years ago, researchers from London Metropolitan University analysed buses and trains across London to test their cleanlines and found nine of the world's deadliest superbugs, including e.coli (i.e. traces of human and animal feces): https://www.standard.co.uk/news/transport/revealed-nine-of-the-world-s-deadliest-superbugs-found-on-tube-with-victoria-line-the-dirtiest-a3540051.html In 6 years living in London, my average experience with buses and trains has implied often unacceptable levels of dirt (all the way to seats being wet due to urine), amplified not only by lack of reactions when alerting drivers/staff about specific situations, but also by the need to travel with dogs of all kinds brought on board and homeless whose clothes were visibly entrenched with urine, feces, mud and anything possible. Trusting that passengers safety should be at the core of TFL's operations, and taking into account that these include vulnerable individuals (children, pregnant women, elderly), and taking into account that the current COVID-19 pandemic remarkably elevates risks and accountability, I kindly request to share detailed information and evidence about: - The standard procedures pertaining to the cleaning and disinfection of buses and trains within the TFL network, including information about official schedules, cleanliness monitoring, and approach to corrective actions; - The type of tools and products used to clean and disinfect public TFL buses and Tube trains (full specifications of such products); - Roles and formal responsibilities of TFL staff in maintaining hygiene/cleanliness on TFL premises and vehicles (i.e. on most London buses, drivers have an immediate visible understanding of who is coming on-board and could prevent issues at the source - from drunk individuals boarding with beer/alcohol to homeless and dirty pets); - Customers' rights with regard to the need to travel on dirty vehicles and/or on vehicles with passengers whose hygienic conditions should have been deemed inappropriate before boarding buses/passing Tube turnstiles. Given the recent news about reinforced cleaning procedures in light of the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, kindly make sure to provide detailed and comprehensive information as per the above points highlighting whatever was enforced/used BEFORE the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and AFTER. Thank you.

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Our ref: FOI-3830-1920/GH

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 12 March 2020 asking for information about Cleaning and disinfection SOPs for the TFL network.

Your request has been considered under the requirements of the Environmental Information Regulations (EIR) and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require.

Please find attached a copy of a staff briefing which outlines the enhanced cleaning regime recently introduced across our network. Further information can be found at the following link: https://tfl.gov.uk/info-for/media/press-releases/2020/march/enhanced-cleaning-regime-to-make-public-transport-even-safer

We are unclear what information you are seeking in some parts of your request, for example where you ask for full specifications of products, and more generally information on ‘customers’ rights’, and require more information regarding the information you are requesting. Pease bear in mind that the Environmental Information Regulations cover requests for recorded information and does not require the creation of advice, explanation or opinion that was not already recorded at the time of a request.

The Government has announced a series of measures to tackle the Coronavirus. It is essential for London, and in particular for all critical workers, that we continue to provide a safe transport network that enables them to make the journeys they need to.

In current circumstances, we are not able to answer FOI requests readily and we ask that you please do not make a request to us at present.

Answering FOI requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity. In any event, please note that our response time will be affected by the current situation.

If you are considering submitting a clarified EIR request we urge you to think carefully whether the request is essential at this time. Answering EIR requests will require the use of limited resources and the attention of staff who could be supporting other essential activity.

Where requests are made, please note that our response time is likely to be affected by the current situation.

If you are not satisfied with this response please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely

Graham Hurt

FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

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