FOI request detail

Cost involved in renaming Overground

Request ID: FOI-4153-2324
Date published: 22 March 2024

You asked

Can you please provide a breakdown of the total costs involved in the project undertaken for renaming of the Overground lines

We answered

Our Ref:         FOI-4153 -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 in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act 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:

https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/london-overground/overground-line-naming?intcmp=75262

You asked:

Can you please provide a breakdown of the total costs involved in the project undertaken for renaming of the Overground lines

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 researchChanging 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 wayfindingReplacing signage including London Overground (LO) station wayfinding, LO step free access at all 113 LO stations£2,322,544
Digital & SystemsUpdating TfL Go, Electronic Service Update boards (ESUBs) and other digital channels and products including operational systems£748,111
Fleet signage & on train updatesManufacturing and installing LO on-train car line diagrams and updating the passenger information system£870,000
Customer awareness building and community engagementCommunications and associated activity to build awareness and familiarisation for customers across the six lines and pan London £717,172
Internal & project resourceProject management additional resource and additional resource in Customer, Marketing, & Operational Readiness£377,364
Engagement programme by DNCOEngagement 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

[email protected]

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