20 things we learnt from TfL FoI requests in September 2024
1) The average e-scooter hire trip lasts 16 minutes, is 1½ miles long and is undertaken at 6½ mph. 2) TfL plan to replace the Lodge Avenue flyover on the A13 with a like-for-like replacement, with construction starting in early 2025 (and perhaps continuing until 2027). 3) In the first 33 weeks of this year TfL received a total of 567,564 complaints, of which 92.4% were addressed within 10 working days. 4) Since the Elizabeth line was launched in May 2022, the day with the fewest trains on time was 20th October 2023 (60), the day with the most cancelled trains was 25th July 2023, the day with the most trains over 20 minutes late was 6th September 2023 (6%) and the day with the most trains missing stops was 27th February 2024 (30%). 5) TfL do not have plans to strengthen any of their bridges purely due to the increase in numbers of electric vehicles. It will thus not cost "trillions of pounds". 6) TfL actioned 993 pigeon-related work orders in 2023. 19% resulted in the clearance of nests on the tube network, 10% resulted in a last resort cull and 29 related to reports of trapped birds. The remaining orders included attendance to remove pigeon guano, repairs of bird netting and installation of bird spikes. 7) Since 2010 the longest road closures on Bow Road have been 6-8 March 2019 ("trace, then excavate to repair gas escape and reinstate where possible") and 11-14 November 2022 ("excavate to locate missing valve, make repairs, check main, backfill and reinstate"). 8) TfL would like to integrate Oyster with Apple wallets but this would require updating card readers on buses and in stations. The project for this is "in-flight" but will take a further 3-4 years to deliver. 9) A speed restriction has been imposed on the southbound Victoria line between Oxford Circus and Green Park stations since 16th January 2023. This is due to the presence of asbestos in caulking and an ongoing water leak. 10) The busiest hour for vehicles entering the Congestion Charge zone is 6pm-7pm (approx 6000 vehicles each weekday). The least busy hour, unsurprisingly, is 3am-4am (approx 600). 11) There are no plans to provide signage in Yiddish at Stamford Hill station, despite any ridiculous rumours you may have heard. 12) The 'Mind The Gap' announcement plays at ten stations on the Northern line, including in both directions at West Finchley and Golders Green. There are also seven platforms where one set of doors does not open, including both platforms at Charing Cross. 13) Between April 2023 and April 2024 there were 27 confirmed fires at tube stations. 80% of these resulted from litter, vandalism or sleeper/wood fire. 14) Underground, Overground and Elizabeth line ticket machines all accept the new King Charles banknotes (and have done since June), but ticket vending machines on the DLR do not. 15) Following a decision to introduce temporary speed restrictions on the DLR for safety reasons, a journey from Stratford International to Woolwich Arsenal now takes 158 seconds longer. In the opposite direction the increase is only 114 seconds. Meanwhile Tower Gateway to Beckton is 73 seconds longer, Bank to Lewisham 69 seconds longer and Stratford to Canary Wharf 57 seconds longer. 16) The Banksy artwork painted on the TfL traffic signal controller box in front of the Gross Domestic Product Shop in Croydon was removed by workmen on 14th October 2019 and is being kept in safe storage. 17) TfL plan to launch the new London Overground lines by the end of the year but do not have a precise date at the moment. The next tube map will be issued at a similar time. 18) In 2023 the zone 1 tube station with the greatest number of "slips, trips and falls incidents" was Baker Street (147). The only zone 1 station with zero incidents was Lancaster Gate. 19) A temporary speed restriction has been implemented for eastbound trains departing Westbourne Park station. This is due to a track geometry fault, and will be in place for some time because the repair is complicated. 20) Over the last 12 months the tube station at which the most sexual offences were reported was King's Cross St Pancras (17), and the tube line on which the most sexual offences were reported was the Central line (133). Bow Road and the Waterloo & City line recorded zero.
