Transport Scotland on-bus surveys: FOI release

FOI reference: FOI/18/00269
Date received: 31 January 2018
Date responded: 14 February 2018

Information requested

Questions about your recent experience with a Transport Scotland representative on-board bus surveyor.

1. What my data is being used for?

2. Is it compulsory to hand over your card for scanning?

Response

1. What my data is being used for?

Transport Scotland carry out a programme of on-bus surveys which are required by Scottish Ministers under Article 11(6) of Scottish Statutory Instrument 2006 (No.107) to support the operation of the concessionary travel scheme, and specifically, to assist in the validation of bus operators' claims for reimbursement.

We have experienced surveyors who board a selection of bus services during a specific time period to carry out these surveys as representatives of Transport Scotland. The surveyors carry hand held scanners which will record the cardholders 16 digit concession card number, their boarding and alighting points and the reason for their journey.

The card type and date and time of the journey is automatically captured by the card reader. This data is put together with the answers provided by the cardholder to the survey questions which helps form a complete interview record. I can confirm that this is the only information captured, no personal details such as name, address or date of birth can be recorded or is visual to the surveyor.

2. Is it compulsory to hand over your card for scanning?

The survey request is entirely optional and the cardholder can refuse to participate should they wish to do so.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses