More than 300 buses have been kitted out with new priority seating designs as part of an awareness week to make travelling easier for people with extra needs.
The Transport for London Priority Seating Week has been launched to make travelling easier for people “with a range of conditions whose need may not be immediately obvious,” say transport bosses, who have launched the new seating designs aboard 300 of the capital’s buses.
It is hoped the change in design will stand out to commuters and customers will be more “encouraged” to offer up their seats to those in greater need.
Bosses say they have kickstarted the campaign with 300 buses but hope the entire fleet will have the new design by the end of 2025.
Statistics shared by Transport for London have revealed that one in five bus users have a “visible or non-visible” condition. Users say being able to get a seat can often mean the difference between venturing out, and staying in, for many.
Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport, said: “Making the public-transport network accessible for all is a top priority for the Mayor, and Londoners can play their part by offering their seat to those who need it.
“Buses are already our most accessible mode of public transport. This rollout will provide even more priority seating on buses and we hope encourage everyone to think about their fellow passengers, helping us to build a better, fairer London for everyone.
“Not all disabilities are visible so, starting with Priority Seating Week, we’re asking all Londoners to be aware of this when travelling, and offer their seat to those who may need it more than them.”
Transport for London says the bus seat changes are the latest in other campaigns to help everyone access travel services. More than 100,000 ‘Please offer me a seat’ badges have been issued to disabled people and those with non-visible conditions since the campaign was first launched in 2017.
