Request ID: FOI-4140-2324 Date published: 22 March 2024
You asked
Hi,
I am interested to know the cost of renaming the overground lines. I think it makes sense to see this in at minimum two chunks, first the project to come up with the names which as been ongoing for c.6months, and secondly the cost the implement this name change.
Can this also include some breakdown of the costs in each section?
Thanks very much.
We answered
Our Ref: FOI-4140 -2324
Thank you for your request received on 15 February 2024 asking for information about the renaming of the London Overground line. I apologise for the delay in my response.
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.
When naming the London Overground lines, the aim was to develop the names in a collaborative and inclusive way, and use this as an opportunity to celebrate London, its diversity and culture, ensuring that more Londoners feel connected to the transport network they use every day. Therefore, it was integral that we engaged with communities as part of this project, as opposed to naming the lines internally.
Stakeholders, customers, historians, industry experts and communities played a key role in informing the new names through independent engagement which took place ahead of the decision on the final six names. This was key as London’s diverse history and culture has always played a significant role in shaping the city, and we wanted the names to reflect London's diverse culture and communities.
Making the network easier to navigate and more inclusive is a priority for both us and the Mayor. Naming the six routes of the London Overground aims to give customers, especially those unfamiliar with the network, more confidence to travel around London. Removing this barrier to travel could see more people choosing to travel sustainably, which would benefit the whole city.
We will be running an extensive campaign over the summer to help customers get familiar with the names. We have also enhanced our signage & wayfinding standards, so that signs include the line names and colour along with the Overground roundel
More information about the renaming can be found on our website:
I am interested to know the cost of renaming the overground lines. I think it makes sense to see this in at minimum two chunks, first the project to come up with the names which as been ongoing for c.6months, and secondly the cost the implement this name change.
Can this also include some breakdown of the costs in each section?
This change was needed because the evidence we have is that the current approach is confusing for customers, especially those visiting or using the network less regularly.
The project has an estimated cost of £6.3m; the budget has been provided by the GLA. The budget is for the entirety of the project and has been split over financial year 23/24 and 24/25. The majority of the budget allocated for the London Overground naming will be used to update customer information. This includes updates to all digital information, TfL Go, Journey Planner, Station digital screens, around 6,000 station wayfinding signs, in train maps and information and all Tube maps.
Any future maintenance/replacement of the signs will be included as part of the regular maintenance carried out on our entire network.
Please find a breakdown of these costs below:
Activity – headline
Activity – detail
Budget
The below budget breakdown is for the entity of the project from feasibility through to project completion in 2025
Customer information and research
Changing all tube maps i.e. on-train tube maps, Step-free access, black & white, car line diagrams, pocket tube maps
£1,149,209
Design, signage and wayfinding
Replacing signage including London Overground (LO) station wayfinding, LO step free access at all 113 LO stations
£2,322,544
Digital & Systems
Updating TfL Go, Electronic Service Update boards (ESUBs) and other digital channels and products including operational systems
£748,111
Fleet signage & on train updates
Manufacturing and installing LO on-train car line diagrams and updating the passenger information system
£870,000
Customer awareness building and community engagement
Communications and associated activity to build awareness and familiarisation for customers across the six lines and pan London
£717,172
Internal & project resource
Project management additional resource and additional resource in Customer, Marketing, & Operational Readiness
£377,364
Engagement programme by DNCO
Engagement programme by DNCO
£115,600
£6,300,000
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
