Open access

TfL’s smart and simple solutions are making London’s Underground an option for a lot of people who would otherwise be unable to use it, writes

When you are on the Tube, pressed up against your fellow commuters in the heat, it is perhaps not uncommon to feel uneasy at times, especially when the train enters the dark, enclosed tunnels deep under central London. But for some, this feeling is not just simple uneasiness, it is an intense and excessive fear of becoming trapped, of not being able to breathe, and it can cause that person to panic.

Claustrophobia affects around 5% of the population and more general feelings of anxiety affect significantly more people over their lifetimes. It would be easy to dismiss those facts for someone unaffected by these difficulties, but they can have a serious impact on a person’s ability to lead a normal life, including travelling on the Tube network.

The name of the Underground alone conjures up images of an entirely subterranean network but, in reality, of the 270 stations, more than half of them are above ground. Only the Victoria, and Waterloo and City lines are completely underground, and much of the outer reaches of the network are much like main line railways.

In recognition that this misunderstanding (or the uncertainty about which parts of the network are in tunnels) might be a barrier to travel for some people, Transport for London last month launched a modified version of its iconic map to help passengers navigate the Underground network while avoiding areas with large stretches of tunnel. The new map features a grey overlay to show which stations or sections of track are underground, including which London Overground, Docklands Light Railway and TfL Rail sections are in tunnels.

“Making the Tube network accessible for everyone is one of our top priorities,” TfL’s Director of Customer Strategy Mark Evers said. “This new map is just one of the tools we have created in response to feedback from our customers on how we can make the transport network more accessible, making travelling easier and more comfortable for all our customers.”

The move has been a popular one with charity Anxiety UK. Chief Executive Nicky Lidbetter said: “For those with anxiety conditions such as panic attacks and claustrophobia, we know that travel by the Underground can be problematic and challenging. This new map is an excellent resource for those wishing to avoid journeys where there are tunnels, serving as a great pre-journey planning aid and increasing access to public transport. I sincerely hope that the map will encourage those with claustrophobia and/or panic attacks, who have previously avoided this form of public transport out of fear, to reconsider using the Tube”. The idea came about following suggestions from passengers living with claustrophobia or other types of anxiety conditions, who find it difficult to use the Tube. It is just one of many ways that TfL has been listening to its customers and trying to ensure that the Tube network is accessible to as many people as possible. A range of Accessibility guides is available from https://tfl.gov.uk/forms/12387.aspx that offer advice on avoiding stairs and finding toilets, as well as large print and audio versions of the map for those with sight or hearing difficulties.

There really does seem to be a map for everyone to make everyday problems just that little bit easier to overcome.

It’s not just about maps, either. Last autumn, TfL conducted a trial to see whether a new badge bearing the words ‘Please offer me a seat’ would help people who find it difficult to stand on public transport, such as those suffering from conditions with invisible symptoms, to obtain a seat.

More than 1,000 people took part in the trial, with 72% of journeys being made easier by using it. Ninety-eight per cent of the participants said they would recommend it. During the trial, TfL used social media and customer information on the network to encourage passengers to offer their seats to

someone with the badge. It is similar to the already very popular ‘Baby on Board’ badge launched for pregnant women in 2005 - TfL now issues around 310,000 of these every year.

James McNaught, who previously developed a ‘cancer on board’ badge and also took part in the ‘Please offer me a seat’ trial, said: “This is a brilliant scheme and I am very glad that it is being introduced. The anxiety of needing a seat but being unsure whether you will get one can rob people of the confidence to use public transport, and this simple initiative will make a huge difference to the lives of many people.”

The badge and an accompanying card has now been rolled out and can be used on

all TfL services, including London buses, trams and river services, as well as on station platforms and waiting areas. They are both available at https://tfl.gov.uk/transportaccessibility/please-offer-me-a-seat

All of these initiatives are part of TfL’s Action on Equality commitments, based on the vision that ‘every person matters in keeping London moving, working and growing’. These seemingly simple schemes could make a real difference in breaking down the barriers that prevent some people from making the most of London’s comprehensive transport network.

Making the Tube network accessible for everyone is one of our top priorities. Mark Evers, Director of Customer Strategy, TfL