TfW FOI Request - Taxi Costs

I am writing in response to your Freedom of Information request on how much TfW and Arriva Trains Wales have spent on taxis for commuters to complete their journeys, for each financial year 2018/19 (to date), 2017/18 and 2016/17.

I can confirm that the cost to the public purse of these services was £0. Transport for Wales Rail Services have borne the costs of any taxi journeys since 14 October 2018. Transport for Wales Rail Services run the Wales and Borders rail service and is a joint-venture between two private sector companies, Keolis and Amey. These companies are not covered by the Freedom of Information Act (2000). Arriva Trains Wales bore any similar costs in 2016-17 and 2017-18 and for the period of 2017- 18 up to 13 October 2018. Similarly, Arrive Trains were a private sector company not covered under the Freedom of Information Act.

Your Freedom of Information request was submitted to Transport for Wales, a not-for-profit company owned by the Welsh Government. It was established to provide support and expertise to the Welsh Government in connection to transport projects in Wales. Transport for Wales manages the Grant Agreement between the Welsh Government and Transport for Wales Rail Services. As a result, Transport for Wales does not hold the information you requested.

If you wish to complain about the handling of your request, please write to Jeremy Morgan, Freedom of Information Officer, by email to freedomofinformation@tfw.wales or by post to Transport for Wales, South Gate House, Cardiff, CF10 1EW.

I must also refer you to section 50 of the Freedom of Information Act under which you may apply to the Information Commissioner for a decision on whether or not your request has been dealt with in accordance with the Act. The Information Commissioner’s contact details are:

Information Commissioner’s Office

Wycliffe House

Water Lane

Wilmslow

Cheshire

SK9 5AF

email: casework@ico.gsi.gov.uk

Tel: 01625 545745

Fax: 01625 524510

You should note, however, that the Information Commissioner would normally expect you to have exhausted our internal complaints procedures before dealing with such an application. Further guidance may be found on the Information Commissioner’s website: www.ico.org.uk

If you have any queries, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours sincerely

Jeremy Morgan