TfL rolls out DLR seat change as new passenger trial launched
Transport for London (TfL) is trialling new signage and help for passengers. It comes as the authority launches a Priority Seating Week, which aims to 'raise awareness of priority seats across the public transport network'.
New signage designs will be trialled on DLR trains - with new stock being delayed 'indefinitely' - to highlight priority seats, and encourage people to 'look up and give their seat to someone who may need it more'. This is in addition to the ongoing ‘Access DLR’ accessibility assistance trial for customers who would like additional travel support on their journey.
It comes as, TfL says, research looked at how likely people are to get a priority seat if they need one and showed that many of those who need a seat do get one. The study revealed that, although many customers are doing the right thing and offering their seat, it is 'not always clear when someone needs a priority seat and people are not always paying attention to their surroundings to notice if there is someone in need of a seat'.
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'Please offer me a seat'
Separate research for the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) also showed that 'many people were unaware of the priority seating, which is not visually distinctive from other seating'. Since its launch in 2017, more than 140,000 ‘Please offer me a seat’ badges have been issued to disabled people and those with non-visible conditions.
TfL has also issued more than 800,000 ‘Baby on board’ badges in the last eight years alone following its launch in 2005. Now, on the DLR network, customers can for the first time find both badges at staffed stations, as well as the London City Airport information centre.
Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: "Making the public transport network accessible for all is a top priority for the Mayor, and Londoners can play their part by being aware of who’s around them and offering their seat to those who need it, bearing in mind that not all disabilities are visible.
"I’m pleased to see TfL taking an innovative approach this Priority Seating Week, trialling new signage designs on DLR trains which will clearly highlight priority seats."
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