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Roundup:"Give me a seat" cards to be tested in London public transport

Xinhua, August 31, 2016 Adjust font size:

The first trial of its kind in Europe will see passengers with hidden disabilities being handed "please offer me a seat" badges on London Underground trains, Transport for London announced Tuesday.

The six-week trial, which starts on Sept. 12, will also take place on bus services across Britain's capital.

The trial will see disabled passengers and those with hidden conditions, illnesses and injuries receive a blue badge to alert fellow passengers of their need for a seat on public transport.

Transport for London (TfL) is recruiting 1,000 people to take part in the European-first six-week trial to assess how successful it is for passengers to use and the reactions of others. They will also be given a card that can be shown to TfL staff.

It follows passenger feedback and research that found people with hidden disabilities and conditions, or those undergoing treatments, can find it difficult to get a seat when they need one, particularly if their need isn't obvious, said a spokeswoman for TfL.

The "please offer me a seat" badges follow the introduction in London of popular "Baby on Board" badges handed to pregnant women.

"If the trial is successful, the badge will be made available more widely later this year, with customers able to request them from TfL in a similar way that they request a 'Baby on Board' badge," added TfL.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan 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."

"I want Londoners to embrace our new trial and help these blue badges become as instantly-recognizable, giving confidence to those wearing them on public transport across London," he added.

Alice Mitchell-Pye from the charity Leonard Cheshire Disability said: "Many disabled people find it difficult to use public transport, and for people who have an invisible disability, it can be even more challenging when they can't get a seat. This small act of consideration from Londoners could make a huge difference to disabled people getting around the city and being fully involved in all London has to offer."

TfL's "Baby on Board" badge was launched in 2005 to help pregnant women get a seat on public transport, with around 310,000 badges a year issued in London. Endit