diamond geezer

 Thursday, July 02, 2020

This is my favourite TfL Freedom of Information request in recent weeks.

 

5th June 2020
Dear Transport for London, Is there a way in which I could apply to change the name of a bus stop? I work for a business on a road where there are 3 bus stops, and no other businesses. The bus stops is named after the road and I'd like to have the name of it changed to be that of my business if possible.
		12th June 2020
Yours faithfully, RM		Hi
		I hope you’re well and keeping safe. Thank you for getting in touch with us with your request to change the name of a bus stop. We’d be more than happy to look into this further for you, however, please confirm the bus stop in question.
12th June 2020
Hi Lauren,		Kind regards Lauren
Amazing! Thank you so much. There are three bus stops on the road so it would be great if they could all be changed? The bus stop name is 'Clayton Road'.
		17th June 2020
Thank you! RM		Hi
		I hope you’re well and keeping safe. Thank you for getting back in touch and confirming the bus stop name as Clayton Road. We’ve had a look into this, however, we found several bus stops called Clayton Road in different areas. If you could provide us with the full address, we’ll be more than happy to investigate further.
17th June 2020
Hi Lauren,		Kind regards Lauren
Of course, its for bus stops K and J on Clayton Road, Peckham, SE15.
Thank you!		29th June 2020
RM		Hi
		I hope you’re well and keeping safe. Thank you for getting back in touch. We’ve been in touch with our Asset Operations team and raised and discussed your request to change the bus stop’s name and they’ve advised that bus stop names are in place for route of travel and/or location. Unfortunately, we don’t allow business names or for use of advertising. Kind regards Lauren

There's so much to enjoy here.

» RM asking their question in public view, via an FoI request, rather than by private email.
» RM forgetting to mention where the business is based.
» Lauren patiently probing to find out where the bus stop is.
» RM's excitement that this request might just be a goer.
» RM being unaware that London might have several Clayton Roads.
» RM first asking for one bus stop to be renamed, then three, then two.
» Lauren wasting two replies before checking whether renaming bus stops is actually allowed.
» Renaming bus stops for advertising purposes not being allowed.

Several bus stops are of course named after businesses, for example Harrods, Perivale Tesco, The Spaniards Inn and Chelsea Football Club. However the vast majority are not, and all continue to be named for the convenience of passengers rather than for the benefit of the highest bidder. You will not be alighting at The Prince of Peckham any time soon.

posted 01:00 :

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