Dear Mr Bryant

TfL Ref: FOI-2533-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 9
March 2021.

We will aim to issue a response by 8 April 2021 in accordance with the
Freedom of Information Act 2000 and our information access policy.

Please think carefully about whether the request is essential at this
current time, as answering FOI 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 may be impacted by the current situation and so you may wish to
reconsider the timing of this request. Please notify us as soon as
possible if you would like to withdraw your request at the current time.

We publish a substantial range of information on our website on subjects
including operational performance, contracts, expenditure, journey data,
governance and our financial performance. This includes data which is
frequently asked for in FOI requests or other public queries. Please check
[1]http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transpar... to see if this helps you.

We will publish anonymised versions of requests and responses on the
[2]www.tfl.gov.uk website. We will not publish your name and we will send
a copy of the response to you before it is published on our website.

In the meantime, if you would like to discuss this matter further, please
do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Eva Hextall

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

dangos adrannau a ddyfynnir

Dear Mr Bryant

TfL Ref: FOI-2533-2021

Thank you for your request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 9
March 2021, asking for information about the Heritage Routemaster.

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 some of the information you require. You asked:

 1. Did any of the Heritage Routemasters operate on 15H last year (2020)?
If Not, why?

The heritage service on route 15H previously operated between Tower
Gateway and Trafalgar Square at three buses an hour, between 1000 and 1800
on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank holidays between March and September.
However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic it has not operated in the 2020
season.

 2. Was Stagecoach paid for the 15H contract last year? If yes, how much?

The 15H was due to run the seasonal service for two years as follows:

o 30/3/19 to 29/9/19 – contract value £808,258.

o 28/3/20 to 27/9/20 – contract value £825,243. This contract didn’t
operate due to Covid-19 so no payments were made to Stagecoach.

Prior to the service being seasonal, the annual contract price was
£1,293,270.

 3. Why TfL wanted the Heritage Routemasters on 15H to operate during
summer weekends and bank holidays only?

This was to reduce cost and make the best use of resources at a time when
we were moving increasingly to a self-funding position. The change was
part of making our core network services financially sustainable for the
future.

 4. How much did TfL save by cutting the 15H services?

The service wasn’t operated due to Covid-19 so no payments were made to
the operator.  

 5. Is route 15H service completely withdrawn?

We discontinued with the 15H for reasons including falling ridership on
the Central London network and because it is the only part of the fleet
that does not provide step-free access. The buses have a high step up to
the rear platform and cannot be accessed by wheelchair users and with a
difficulty by those with mobility issues. The heritage service on route
15H is not required for capacity purposes and does not provide any unique
links.

 6. Do TfL plan to withdraw Heritage Routemasters from route 15 by not
renewing the contract?

See answer to question 5.

 7. Do TfL plan to reintroduce Heritage AEC Routemasters on route 15 this
year?

See answer to question 5.

 8. Why Contactless bank card payments are not accepted on route 15H? Do
TfL plan to upgrade the Oyster readers to allow Contactless bank card
payments?

See answer to question 5.

 9. Do the AEC Routemasters for 15H have Euro VI emission standards?

No, they have previously relied on an exemption certificate to operate in
London. It may also not be technically feasible to upgrade them to Euro
VI.

10. What are the long term plans for the Heritage Routemasters on route
15H?

See answer to question 5.

If you are considering submitting a further request please think carefully
about whether the request is essential at this current time, as answering
FOI/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 may be impacted by
the current situation.

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable
to access it for any reason, please 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

Eva Hextall

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

dangos adrannau a ddyfynnir