Fare evasion - Helensburgh Central to Edinburgh Waverley: FOI release

Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.


FOI reference: FOI/18/00373
Date received: 8 February 2018
Date responded: 8 March 2018

Information requested

A copy of the last report which measure the level of ticketless travel and fare evasion on the Passenger Services along with a plan insofar as it relates to ticketless travel and fare evasion on the route from Helensburgh Central to Edinburgh Waverley.

Response

I attach a copy of most of the information you requested.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemption under Section 33(1)(b) of FOISA (commercial interests) applies to some of the information requested. The reason why that exemption applies is explained below. However as the information requested relates to the franchise operator, Abellio ScotRail, they may be able to help you. Abellio ScotRail can be contacted at;

Atrium Court 50 Waterloo St
Glasgow G2 6HQ
United Kingdom

Reasons for not providing information

An exemption under section 33(1)(b) of FOISA (commercial interests) applies to some of the information requested. This exemption applies because disclosure of this particular information would, or would be likely to, prejudice substantially the commercial interests of Abellio ScotRail.

Disclosing this information would be likely to give Abellio ScotRail's competitors an advantage in future similar tendering exercises, which would substantially prejudice Abellio ScotRail's ability to submit competitive tenders and so could significantly harm their commercial business. Releasing the document with this information redacted satisfies public interest in understanding the extent of ticketless travel, and what Abellio ScotRail are doing about it.

This exemption is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption. We recognise that there is public interest in disclosing information as part of open and transparent government, and to help account for the expenditure of public money. However, there is greater public interest in protecting the commercial interests of companies which tender for, or enter into, Scottish Government contracts, to ensure that we are always able to obtain the best value for public money.

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

FOI-18-00373 Committed Obligation.pdf

Contact

Please quote the FOI reference

Central Enquiry Unit
Email: ceu@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000

The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG

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