[x-posted to uk.transport.london]
[original thread on uk.railway]

On Apr 9, 3:38*pm, Tony Polson wrote:
Thursday 9th April 2009
Chris Cheesman

Photos taken on London's Tube network - even tourist snapshots - may
require a £34.50 permit, say Underground bosses who insist that the
rules haven't changed.

Transport for London (TfL) has revamped its website in a move designed
to make it easier to apply for a filming or a photography permit on the
Tube.

Though TfL says London Underground will adopt a 'common sense' approach
when dealing with amateur photography, a spokesman told us: 'Our
position is that if you wish to take a photograph on our property you
should seek permission.'

London Underground, whose stations are private property, says it
receives 'thousands' of requests every year to film on the Tube.

The price of the permit (£34.50) includes VAT and allows handheld
photography for up to five 'non-professionals' or students. It is valid
for one month.

TfL says it will deal with each request on a 'case-by-case basis'.

But, when quizzed by Amateur Photographer, TfL did not make clear at
which point a permit becomes necessary.

TfL spokeswoman Tracey O'Brien said that the permit allows London
Underground to 'manage' requests for photography to ensure they do not
'interfere with the running of the Tube network'.

O'Brien added: 'Any individual or film production company wanting to
film or take photographs on the Tube must seek prior permission from the
London Underground (LU) Film Office.'

She added: 'We do take a common sense approach to granting permissions
to film and photograph the Tube and are flexible in dealing with
different requests on a case-by-case basis.

'Nonetheless, it is only right that we are ultimately able to retain
control over filming and photography of the buildings and assets owned
by London Underground, and the staff who work with us.'

All flash photography is banned outright at 'platform-level', added the
spokeswoman.

http://tinyurl.com/cn2ttq
or
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk...rackdown_on_lo...


My instant reaction to this was 'it's all just a misunderstanding, as
LU have never had any rule against amateur photography, and the LU
spokesperson is just a bit muddled'. However, I went to the TfL
website to check up on the purported changes mentioned in the above
article and I found, to my surprise, mention of a "Student or non-
professional permit", something I don't recall ever hearing about
beforehand. (N.B. I'm not much of a photographer so this isn't my area
of expertise.)

In particular have a gander at this page:

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/5225.aspx
---quote---
Permits

Any individual or film production company wanting to film or take
photographs on the Tube must seek prior permission from the London
Underground (LU) Film Office.

There are three types of permit:

* Student or non-professional
* Two-hour
* Location

All permit requests must be made in writing, preferably via one of our
application forms. You can start an online application now.
---/quote---


My reaction to this, if it is indeed a substantive change of policy
from what went on beforehand, is that it's more the result of some
cack-handed thinking about commercial concerns rather than a result of
misplaced 'security concerns' - that said, it would I suppose create a
database of those serious-ish photographers who are roaming the LU
network at any particular time, which under some moronic thinking
might be considered worthwhile. Nonetheless I'm tempted to opt for the
former explanation - that is, if there really has been any substantive
change. It's possible this is all the result of some rather badly
drafted new rules.

I await developments with interest.