Eliza Rain, a 28-year-old Londoner living with a chronic pain condition, has faced challenges while using the Transport for London (TfL) “Please Offer Me A Seat” badge and card scheme. The scheme, aimed at helping individuals with disabilities and health conditions secure a seat on public transport, recently celebrated its eighth anniversary. Despite its noble intentions, Eliza recounted an incident where a fellow passenger threatened to push them off the train for requesting a seat. This highlights the struggles faced by individuals relying on the badge for a much-needed seat during their commute.
The TfL scheme, which includes the “Please Offer Me A Seat” badge and the “Baby On Board” badge, has been instrumental in supporting individuals with visible and non-apparent disabilities, parents with infants, and older passengers. Eliza, a content creator from London, has been utilizing the badge for over four years during their Tube commute. However, due to the reluctance of other passengers to offer their seat, Eliza eventually resorted to using a wheelchair while using public transport to avoid potential medical episodes.
Despite the efforts of TfL to raise awareness through initiatives like Priority Seating week and public transport adverts, the effectiveness of the scheme remains a concern. A survey conducted by TfL showed instances where passengers in priority seats did not give up their seat, possibly due to a lack of awareness. Luke Raggett, a 31-year-old from Hampstead awaiting a kidney transplant due to polycystic kidney disease, recounted an incident where he was poked by a man for occupying a seat on a bus, underlining the challenges faced by individuals with invisible disabilities.
Mark Evers, TfL’s chief customer officer, expressed regret over the distressing incidents faced by individuals using the badge. He emphasized the importance of understanding and supporting individuals with non-visible disabilities, conditions, and illnesses while urging passengers to offer their seat to those in need, irrespective of whether they wear a badge. The call to “look up” and be mindful of fellow passengers who may require a seat serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to ensure a safe and inclusive public transport experience for all
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