TfL to release “Please Offer Me a Seat” Badges

Transport for London are set to release “Please offer me a seat” badges for those who suffer from a disability or impairment that may not be obvious.

Succesful Trial

The badge will join TfL’s badge for pregnant women which reads “Baby on Board”.  The badge was trialed this year by 1,200 passengers but will now be made a permanent feature as of Spring 2017. The Mayor of London claims this is great news for Londoners following a very successful trial, on the trial the badges were said to make 72% of journeys easier, and 86% people stated that they felt more confident when asking for a seat.

Similarly to the “Baby on Board” campaign, the TfL say there are no definitive conditions for users to be eligible for the badge, but instead will be based on trust from those that apply. Similarly other passengers are under no obligations to give up their seat, again hoping that other commuters with show compassion for those that need it.

Positive Reaction

One user blogged about her experience of using the badge throughout the trial, she stated that; “Before I had the badge, I was always really anxious about travelling on peak. Without something to see, I didn’t want to risk being interrogated about my invisible disability, or have to justify my need for a seat, so I suffered in silence…I never had the confidence to ask for a seat unless I had a visible sign”.

“Before I had the badge, I never had the confidence to ask for a seat unless I had a visible sign”.

It is believed that when it is launched in Spring 2017, TfL will be the first transport provider in Europe to recognise hidden impairments in such a way.

Chairman of Transport for All supported the scheme but also warned that passengers, who don’t want to wear a badge or use a card, should also be supported, and that everyone who needs a seat on the train should be able to get one.