Key information
Request reference number: MGLA200126-2360
Date of response:
Summary of request
In December I made a Freedom of Information Act request to you about bus lane enforcement income [Ref: FOI #1374890] which can be viewed here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/r/985726dd-584b-4bdc-8562-b835d443ba8a?locale=false
You suggested that the information I wanted might be held by TfL. They said that they do not recognise the figures. Their response is here: https://www.whatdotheyknow.com/r/7dd94a5b-00ba-45c8-bb99-1e1ead5b668f?locale=false
This was my original question:
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Every year a spreadsheet is produced by central government detailing income and expenditure by local authorities.
It can be found at this address: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/local-authority-revenue-expenditure-and-financing
If you go to the link for local authority data outturn and then go to the (RO2) spreadsheet that relates to transport there is a figure there in column CE for Bus Lane Enforcement - Total Income.
In the 2023-24 version of this spreadsheet it was reported in this spreadsheet that your income was £75.2m, whereas in the 2024-25 version it says your income that year was just £9.2million.
Can you explain to me why there has been such a severe drop in income from bus lane enforcement across your authority in the last year, and provide me with any documents you already hold that explain this huge reduction in income.
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My question to you now is why is there such a discrepancy in the figures between the two years? What are the correct figures for both years?
As you have overall authority for TfL and it is your name next to the numbers on the Government website I expect a response from you and not TfL. If you attempt to refer me over to TfL again I will have no option but to appeal the decision.
Response
The GLA has located a figure that appears to relate to the MHCLG figure of £9.3m for bus lane enforcement. It appears in a spreadsheet that originated from TfL. I am sorry that out original searches did not locate this record.
A copy of the relevant extract is attached.
The memo tab in the same document contains the following commentary by TfL on the movement from the previous year “Recategorisation of income to other traffic management (Cat 58) to correctly reflect only Bus lane profit centres income/expenses”
The GLA has not located further information in scope of your request.
Advice/assistance:
Transport for London has advised that the 23/24 RO return included CCTV parking income (£42.2m) and moving traffic income (£29.3m) into Category 52 (bus lane enforcement). It was later clarified that income from these streams should be more accurately recorded under a different category on the RO return.
In the 24/25 RO return TfL moved the CCTV parking and moving traffic income to category 58 (Other traffic management) and only included Bus Lane income into category 52 (bus lane enforcement). This is the reason for the large reduction in income shown in category 52 between 23/24 and 24/25.
The bus lane enforcement income figure TfL reported on the RO return for 24/25 was £9.2m. If we applied the same rules for the 23/24 return, then the bus lane enforcement income for 23/24 would be £3.7m.
If you need further background, you may wish to approach TfL for about the recategorisation mentioned.
Although the GLA and TfL are closely linked, they are separate Public Authorities for the purposes of The Freedom of Information Act, as listed under schedule 1 of the Act.