Cost of the Central Line relief service from Chingford to Epping.
Request ID: FOI-4609-2324 Date published: 08 April 2024
You asked
Since the Central Line has been experiencing delays, TFL has put on a relief service running between Chingford (for Overground) and Epping. Buses run in the morning and evening peak Monday to Friday only. As a local resident, I often see these buses and are always carrying virtually no people. Never has there been over 3 people using the service. Having spoken to the controllers, the verify the same thing and drivers see no point driving empty for almost 4 hours. I wonder what the cost to TFL is by putting on the service and contracting to Ensignbus?
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-4609-2324
Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 11th March 2024 asking for information about the cost of replacement buses 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:
“Since the Central Line has been experiencing delays, TFL has put on a relief service running between Chingford (for Overground) and Epping. Buses run in the morning and evening peak Monday to Friday only. As a local resident, I often see these buses and are always carrying virtually no people. Never has there been over 3 people using the service. Having spoken to the controllers, the verify the same thing and drivers see no point driving empty for almost 4 hours. I wonder what the cost to TFL is by putting on the service and contracting to Ensignbus?”
I can confirm that we hold the information you require. However, I am afraid that the information is exempt from disclosure under section 43(2) of the Freedom of Information Act, the exemption that relates to the release of information that would prejudice commercial interests (be it TfL or anybody else’s interests). In this instance the exemption applies because the bus service is contracted to a third party. Release of information under the Freedom of Information Act is considered to be to the world at large rather than the individual applicant. While it is appreciated that you have requested the information out of your own interest, to place this information into the public domain would inhibit TfL’s ability to negotiate the best value when contracting for similar services in the future (as well as inhibiting the contractor likewise as it tenders for other such work).
As a ‘qualified’ exemption, the use of section 43(2) is subject to consideration of the ‘public interest test’ to determine whether it is in the greater public interest for the exemption to apply and the information to be withheld, or for it to be released in any event. We appreciate the need for openness and transparency in the operation of our business, and the fact you have requested the information is in itself an argument in favour of release. However, we also have a responsibility to secure the best value when spending public money, and we believe that placing the requested information into the public domain would reduce our ability to secure the best price in future contracts, to the detriment of the public purse. We therefore believe that the greater public interest rests in the exemption applying.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
