TfL Tube commuters throw their weight behind campaign telling passengers to 'look up' for people who need a seat

Londoners today threw their weight behind a new campaign asking Tube commuters to "look up" and offer their seat to passengers who may be in greater need.

Tube announcements and messages on departure boards urging commuters to look out for people who may need to sit down have been introduced across the network this week.

The scheme is being rolled out across the network starting with the Piccadilly and Jubilee lines and was set up by passenger Corry Shaw who is disabled and suffers from chronic pain.

Many commuters told the Standard they thought the initiative was a good way of "raising awareness" and would help those who are "too polite to ask for a seat."

Demaris, a 21-year-old student, said: “It’s nice to have announcements to let people have a seat and it’s good for tourists who might not understand.

"I’ve seen a few badges and my mum has one. She only puts it on when it gets busy.”

While Tiffany Lo, 26, thought the announcements were good as "it will increase awareness."

"It's quite convenient for those with a badge as they might be embarrassed to ask for a seat. Sometimes when people are reading, they won't notice people with the badges.

"At least the announcement will make them look around to see people with the badges."

Sixty-two-year-old Neil works in medical laboratory science and said that the announcements are “good for someone who is less able." He said: "A lot of people aren’t bothered or are ignorant while a lot of people have no respect.”

But some passengers said it was sad to have to tell people that they should stand up for those in need.

Kieran Collopy, 28, admitted that some times after a busy day at work people were less likely to give up their seats.

"After work people are less likely to do it but it is quite sad to have to announce it. I've seen people who are too polite to ask. I think it's more common for pregnant people to have people offer them seats. In a weird way, it's more accepted."

Forty-three-year-old Sam Jeffrey said that it was “common courtesy” to give up your seat but that people can be rude. “Young kids often give up their seat which is surprising.”

Ms Shaw started the 'Look Up' petition after she was reduced to tears when fellow passengers refused to give her a seat when she asked while wearing a blue "Please Offer Me a Seat" badge.

Over 30,000 Londoners have a blue badge which is for people with disabilities or invisible illnesses that need to sit down on their journey.

Ms Shaw works in the comedy industry and sometimes commutes to work. She says there are often times where she has been unable to get a seat and she is forced to ask people to give up their place, which at times is difficult.

She said: “When I’m in crippling pain, I can barely form a sentence, every time you’re ignored, it makes it harder to ask each subsequent time. Other people can’t ask because they can’t speak or maybe English isn’t their first language.

“I know a lot of autistic travellers find it really hard to interact. So a lot of people can’t ask. There are too many occasions for my liking where people are there and they choose to ignore you.”

Ms Shaw says she knows of people who have given up using public transport because of the difficulties involved.

“A woman told me that her and her husband no longer use public transport. Her husband is disabled but the stress became too much. They can still use it but choose not to due to the stress and panic caused. It’s been shut off to them. And I completely understand that.”

She says that the response to the petition and then the campaign has been a shock.

“It’s been surprising. It’s a pretty simple message and it’s a backlash free message. There’s not a lot you can push back on so I think it’s resonated with everyone and I’m really glad it’s moved quickly.”

“This is the first time I’ve ever really done anything active in the disabled community and I have had so much support including messages of support. It’s been really nice and it’s a very supportive community and I’m delighted to belong to this community.​