Request ID: FOI-4278-2324 Date published: 14 March 2024
You asked
For the Central Line Improvement Plan how much project funding has been given to TFL from either central gov or through internal budget allocation?
From the above funding how much has been spent to date on the CLIP project (repairs of existing fleet shouldn't be included)
How many staff cuts have TFL made to stock repair teams since 2016? Ie how many filled posts in 2016 and how many filled posts in 2024
If TFL knew in 2016 of the need for the CLIP why when the project was delayed was the procurement of critical parts and repair engineers not undertaken?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-4278-2324 Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 15th February 2024 asking for information about the Central Line Improvement Plan (CLIP). Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we hold the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below, but it may first be helpful to provide some wider context about the project. We are investing in the Central Line fleet in the long-term via the Central Line Improvement Programme. The trains on the Central line are more than 30 years old and are among the least reliable on the Tube. This programme will boost future reliability 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. Once the work is complete it will extend the working life of the trains into the 2040s, giving greater certainty for customers while funding for the replacement of the fleet remains unconfirmed. The project will also enable millions of pounds of savings, better energy efficiency and a reduction in carbon emissions. When CLIP began in 2015, the original outline of the project and its timing would have improved reliability before the trains were planned to be replaced between 2028 and 2031. However, with the changes to the timescales of replacement trains as a result of the lack of funding for new trains, the scope of the project was expanded by around 60 per cent and the budget increased to £500m to enable us to keep the trains running for longer in passenger service. Challenges experienced in our supply chain, COVID and more recent cost inflation also mean that some suppliers entered administration and replacements had to be found. These factors taken together mean that we are now working for all the trains to be upgraded by the end of 2029. Turning to your specific questions, these are addressed as follows: Question 1: For the Central Line Improvement Plan how much project funding has been given to TFL from either central gov or through internal budget allocation? Answer: No specific funding was received from the government pertaining to the CLIP programme. The programme is funded by TfL internal budget allocation which has previously included Government grants. The internal budget allocation is £500m. Question 2: From the above funding how much has been spent to date on the CLIP project (repairs of existing fleet shouldn't be included)? Answer: To date we have spent £128m on the CLIP programme. Question 3: How many staff cuts have TFL made to stock repair teams since 2016? Ie how many filled posts in 2016 and how many filled posts in 2024. Answer: In 2016 the London Underground fleet operational headcount was 905. The current headcount is 1214. Question 4: If TFL knew in 2016 of the need for the CLIP why when the project was delayed was the procurement of critical parts and repair engineers not undertaken? Answer: This is not a request for recorded information under the terms of the Freedom of Information Act. That said, note that the CLIP programme involves the introduction of multiple new systems, the largest intervention TfL has conducted on its fleet. Before any changes are made to our fleet we carefully plan and identify our requirements, and work closely with our supply chain on feasibility studies for the procurement of multiple new systems, to ensure they meet those requirements. In 2016 TfL undertook feasibility studies for CLIP, investigating the scope of upgrades required and exploring potential outcomes i.e. what functions and features the upgrade trains needed. The investigations are complex involving multiple engineering disciplines and detailed engagement with the supply chain and testing. Hence the business understood the need for an intervention on the Central line – however, we needed to conclude the feasibility studies to understand how to resolve the issues and develop routes to market to enable the procurement of the equipment and systems which is now being fitted to our rolling stock. If this is not the information you are looking forplease 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
