TfL Transparency Hub: Open Data & Insights

Purpose of This Hub

Transport for London is one of the UK's largest public transport authorities. It manages and oversees major parts of London's transport network and spends significant amounts of public and passenger money.

This hub helps passengers, taxpayers, journalists, researchers and members of the public find official information about how TfL operates, how decisions are made, how money is spent, who receives contracts, whether performance targets are met and how the public can challenge decisions or request information.

Independent Transparency Disclaimer

Right First Time UK is independent and is not affiliated with Transport for London, the Mayor of London, the Greater London Authority, the Department for Transport, any transport operator, contractor, trade union or political party.

This hub provides public information and signposting only. It does not allege wrongdoing by any person or organisation. Contracts, payments, meetings or declared interests should not be treated as evidence of wrongdoing without reliable supporting evidence.

Information, fares, office holders, contracts and performance data can change. Visitors should always check the latest original source.

What Can the Public Investigate?

• Who controls Transport for London?
• Who makes major decisions?
• How much money does TfL receive?
• Where does TfL income come from?
• How much money comes from fares?
• How much public funding does TfL receive?
• How much debt does TfL have?
• What assets and property does TfL own?
• Who receives TfL contracts?
• How much are contracts worth?
• Are contracts competitively tendered?
• How much are senior executives paid?
• What expenses are claimed?
• What KPIs and performance targets apply?
• How reliable are services?
• How many complaints are received?
• How safe is the transport network?
• How accessible is public transport?
• How are fares decided?
• How can the public use FOI?

Investigating TfL Money and Spending

1. Check TfL annual reports and accounts.
2. Check budgets and business plans.
3. Review fare income.
4. Review government funding.
5. Check borrowing and debt.
6. Review executive pay.
7. Check expenses.
8. Review property and commercial income.
9. Search published expenditure data.

Investigating Contracts and Suppliers

1. Search TfL procurement information.
2. Search Find a Tender.
3. Search Contracts Finder.
4. Identify major suppliers.
5. Check contract values.
6. Check contract duration.
7. Check extensions and variations.
8. Check supplier KPIs.
9. Check penalties and performance failures.
10. Check companies through Companies House.

Investigating Performance and KPIs

1. Check TfL performance reports.
2. Check service reliability.
3. Check delays and cancellations.
4. Check passenger numbers.
5. Check complaints.
6. Check project budgets.
7. Check major project delays.
8. Compare targets with actual outcomes.

Investigating Governance and Decisions

1. Identify the Mayor of London's responsibilities.
2. Identify TfL Board members.
3. Check Board agendas and minutes.
4. Check committee meetings.
5. Check declarations of interest.
6. Review audit reports.
7. Review risk registers.
8. Search Greater London Assembly scrutiny.

Investigating Safety and Accessibility

1. Check transport safety statistics.
2. Check accident and incident data.
3. Check accessibility information.
4. Check step-free access programmes.
5. Check complaints.
6. Check independent safety regulation.
7. Check accessibility commitments.
8. Check passenger assistance policies.

Public Action and Accountability

1. Search published TfL information first.
2. Attend or review public Board meetings.
3. Contact TfL.
4. Submit a complaint.
5. Use Freedom of Information requests.
6. Use Environmental Information Regulations where appropriate.
7. Request internal reviews.
8. Complain to the Information Commissioner where appropriate.
9. Contact elected representatives.

Who Should the Public Be Able to Scrutinise?

• The Mayor of London.
• The Deputy Mayor for Transport.
• The TfL Commissioner.
• TfL Board members.
• TfL senior executives.
• TfL committees and panels.
• Greater London Authority officials.
• Department for Transport.
• Transport operators.
• Major contractors.
• Consultants.
• Technology suppliers.
• Construction companies.
• Property development partners.
• Safety regulators.
• Police bodies.

Follow the Money

• How much income does TfL receive each year?
• How much comes from passenger fares?
• How much comes from government funding?
• How much comes from borrowing?
• How much debt does TfL carry?
• How much is spent on staff?
• How much are senior executives paid?
• How much is spent on consultants?
• How much is spent on advertising?
• How much is spent on major projects?
• Which private companies receive contracts?
• How much are contracts worth?
• How long do contracts run?
• Were contracts competitively tendered?
• Were contracts directly awarded?
• Were contracts extended?
• What KPIs apply?
• Were targets achieved?
• Were penalties imposed?
• Were conflicts of interest declared?

Suggested FOI Requests

• Supplier KPI reports.
• Contract performance reports.
• Contract penalties.
• Major project risk registers.
• Consultancy spending.
• Advertising and communications expenditure.
• Executive expenses.
• Gifts and hospitality records.
• Service reliability data.
• Passenger complaint statistics.
• Accessibility complaints.
• Station accessibility assessments.
• Accident and incident reports.
• Internal audits.
• Board briefing papers.
• Major decision records.
• Contract extensions.
• Direct contract awards.
• Property disposals.
• Meeting records with contractors.

How to Investigate a TfL Decision

1. Identify the decision or project.
2. Find the relevant TfL Board papers.
3. Check the budget and business plan.
4. Identify the responsible executive or committee.
5. Search procurement records.
6. Identify contractors and suppliers.
7. Check Companies House.
8. Check performance targets.
9. Review subsequent performance reports.
10. Check London Assembly scrutiny.
11. Search independent audit reports.
12. Use FOI for unpublished recorded information.

Responsible Transparency and Fair Use

• Use original official sources where possible.
• Distinguish TfL decisions from decisions made directly by the Mayor.
• Distinguish TfL from private transport operators.
• Do not describe allegations as established facts.
• Do not assume a contract or meeting proves wrongdoing.
• Check dates before publishing statistics.
• Distinguish budgets from actual spending.
• Distinguish contract values from amounts actually paid.
• Give organisations and individuals a fair opportunity to respond to serious criticism.
• Correct inaccurate or outdated information promptly.