New badges for people who find it hard to stand on Tube launched

A badge for people who find it difficult to stand on the Tube was launched today [fri] to encourage fellow passengers to offer them a seat.

Transport for London began offering “Please offer me a seat” badges after a trial last autumn found they made more than in seven in 10 journeys “easier” for users.

Virtually all 1,200 people taking part in the trial said they would recommend the blue badges.

They were introduced to help people with “hidden” conditions, from cancer to injuries and other illnesses. The free badges are also intended for use on buses and trains and on platforms.

The badges follow the “baby on board” badges available for pregnant women. These were introduced in 2005 and more than 130,000 a year are issued by TfL.

Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “These blue badges will make a real difference to passengers who need a seat but just haven’t felt confident enough to ask for one. I’ve no doubt they’ll soon become as recognisable across the capital as our popular Baby on Board badges.”

James McNaught, who had previously developed a ‘cancer on board’ badge and later took part in the TfL trial, said: “This is a brilliant scheme and I am very glad that it is being introduced by the Mayor.

“The anxiousness of needing a seat but being unsure whether you will get one can rob people of the confidence to use public transport, and this simple initiative will make a huge difference to the lives of many people.”

TfL said it would not ask customers requesting the badge for their medical history or supporting evidence from a doctor.

Research found that people who need a seat often travelled at off-peak times or took a longer route.

TfL commissioner Mike Brown said: “The Please Offer Me a Seat badge and card demonstrate our commitment to making life easier for all our customers. I hope that its permanent introduction will allow more people to travel with ease and in comfort.

“As they become more widely recognised, more and more customers will be looking out for the blue badges and I hope offering their seat to fellow passengers with a greater need.”

The badge is available via the TfL website: www.tfl.gov.uk/accessibility