Transport for London has unveiled newly designed priority seats across its network to improve accessibility for passengers with specific needs. The updated seats feature enhanced color contrast and clear “This is a priority seat” labeling to make them more identifiable.
The redesigned seating will be implemented on new DLR and Piccadilly line trains, as well as on refurbished Central and Waterloo and City line trains. These design changes match the appearance of the “please offer me a seat” badges and align with the Government’s Blue Badge scheme, continuing the priority seating design already established on the Jubilee line.
Deputy Mayor for Transport Seb Dance has urged Londoners to be more considerate by offering their seats to those who may need them more. TfL emphasized that many passengers requiring seats may not always display a “please offer me a seat” badge or Sunflower lanyard.
Allison Peter, deputy chair of TfL’s independent Disability Advisory Group, highlighted the importance of these seats: “Priority seats are essential for many disabled people, including those with non-visible conditions, as well as older people. They play a vital role in enabling people to travel with confidence and stay connected in London.”
Previous research by TfL revealed that while many people who needed priority seating typically received it, it wasn’t always apparent when someone required a seat, and passengers weren’t consistently attentive to those around them. Since 2017, TfL has issued more than 152,000 free “please offer me a seat” badges, which benefit people with various conditions including chronic pain, respiratory issues, diabetes, learning disabilities, autism, other forms of neurodivergence, and mental health conditions.
A Little Bit of London In Your Inbox Weekly. Sign-up for our free weekly London newsletter. Sent every Friday with the latest news from London!