TfL launches 'Please offer me a seat' badges for disabled passengers after success of 'Baby on Board' buttons
NEW "baby on board" style badges will be given to passengers with disabilities or hidden conditions in the hope of encouraging others to give up their seats.
A trial of the "please offer me a seat" badge initiative will be held in London next month.
The scheme is a response to the difficulties disabled, sick and injured passengers face trying to get a seat on London transport.
As well as a badge those eligible will receive a card they can show to Transport for London staff.
James McNaught, who faced problems when he was receiving treatment for throat cancer, has endorsed the scheme.
He said: "Getting a seat on transport when you need it can sometimes be really tricky, especially if the reason you need to sit down isn't obvious to others.
"When I was undergoing radiotherapy for throat cancer, it meant I couldn't talk to ask for a seat and the morphine I was taking made me appear drunk.
"It was a real struggle to get people to understand why I needed to sit down.
"I'm really pleased TfL is doing this trial. A badge and card could help make a real difference to the lives of people undergoing drug treatment or with longer term conditions or disabilities."
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The scheme will require passengers to recognise the badges and offer their seats to wearers – something London mayor Sadiq Khan has called on the city's residents to embrace.
He said: "We hope that these new blue badges can make a real difference to those who find it difficult to get a seat when they need one, particularly those with hidden disabilities. Everyone who travels around London knows about the success of the 'Baby on board' badges.
"I want Londoners to embrace our new trial and help these blue badges become as instantly-recognisable, giving confidence to those wearing them on public transport across London.”
The trial officially starts on Monday September 12. If it is successful badges will be made widely available later this year.
Any customers interested in taking part can get in touch with the research agency 2CV, who are working with TfL on the trial, at [email protected]
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