TfL’s latest expenses disclosure: Meals, diaries and, of course, more Taxis

This quarter’s disclosure of expenses claims by senior Transport for London staff shows that most found it unnecessary to taxi between locations or eat at taxpayer expense during their oh-so important meetings.

Just two chief officers – Communications chief Vernon Everitt and TfL boss Sir Peter Hendy – asked for reimbursement in the final three months of 2013.

Everitt (Salary £229,020) submitted claims for two apparently identical working lunches, each costing £123.60. Presumably the meal enjoyed on his first visit was so delicious that he felt compelled to order exactly the same dishes on his return?

Sir Peter (Salary £331,346) continued to do his bit to keep the Taxi trade in business, claiming £1,174.02, including more than £600 of cab rides in October and November.

Curiously there are no claims for warm cabs in December, perhaps the £10.99 diary he charged us for has helped him better manage the packed schedule the TfL press office has previously cited when defending his cab bills?

Like Everitt, Sir Peter also enjoyed some working meals which cost fare payers £297.51 and £174.94.

When defending fare hikes TfL likes to insist that every penny collected goes to the front line, but the latest disclosure shows there’s enough spare in the kitty to invest in the waist lines of well-paid managers.

Still, I shouldn’t tease too much – the Mayor’s cycling commissioner has threatened to claim for the sandwiches we consumed on our recent bike ride just to shame me…