Sections:
Freedom of Information Act 2000, request no.
F2007/047
Date of release: 04 June 2007
Expenditure on Transport in 2006
1. How much did your department spend on chauffeur-driven cars?
Answer : £146,733 in the calendar year 2006. The Government Car Service provides cars with professional drivers for Ministers. DFID has a separate arrangement with a third party contractor for the provision of a chauffeur-driven car for the Permanent Secretary.
2. How much did your department spend on taxis last year?
Answer: We do not have figures relating to the calendar year 2006. In the financial year 2005/06 DFID’s taxi costs were £328,579.
We have clear guidance for staff, only authorising use of taxis when there is no alternative form of public transport, when it is the most cost effective method of transport and for reasons of staff safety.
Our East Kilbride HQ has no direct public transport connections with Glasgow Airport, but our taxi contract enables us to benefit from an efficient and direct service. This contract is awarded through a competitive process to make sure we get value for money. Having a second office in Scotland with much lower costs saves us money overall.
Travel in the London area should normally be by public transport, but where this is unrealistic, staff may use private hire. Staff travelling elsewhere in the UK or overseas use taxis in accordance with guidance. We take staff safety seriously.
3. How much did the department spend on railway travel last year?
Answer: We do not have figures relating to the calendar year 2006. In the financial year 2005/06 DFID’s expenditure on rail travel was £365,703.