New “baby on board” style Tube badges have been launched for Londoners who struggle to walk or have hidden ailments.
The blue “please offer me a seat” badges are being rolled out from next spring following a successful trial, Transport for London announced today.
It is in response to complaints that passengers with disabilities or hidden illnesses commonly struggle to sit down on buses and the Tube despite desperately needing to.
More than 1,200 people tested the new badges and 72 per cent of journeys were said to be easier as a result.
In 86 per cent of journeys. people reported feeling more confident when asking for a seat.
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: “I’m proud that Londoners embraced this innovative trial and that Londoners wearing the badges found travelling around our capital easier as a result.
“It’s great news that next year we will be able to offer them to all those with hidden disabilities and conditions, and I’m really looking forward to the blue badges becoming as recognisable on public transport as our hugely successful baby on board ones.”
The Standard previously reported cancer patient James McNaught's efforts to design his own set of "Cancer on board" badges that he hoped TfL would take up.
He was one of the people who took part in the trial. 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 completed this trial. A badge and card will help make a real difference to the lives of people undergoing drug treatment or with longer term conditions or disabilities.”
Mike Brown, London’s Transport Commissioner, added: “It is part of our commitment to constantly improve the network for all our customers and we will launch the badge and card permanently next spring, once a thorough review of the findings of the trial is complete.”
