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London Transport Blue Badge

Trainspotter

London Transport has just launched a 'Blue Badge' scheme for those with 'invisible' disabilities, asking others to let them have a seat.

My autism makes me very unsettled when having to stand on a tube train or bus, and I am also rather unsteady on my feet, especially when standing 'still' (which in my case often means wobbling from side to side!

I wonder whether these badges work (They say words to the effect 'Please let me have a seat'.

Has anyone got one or applying for one? I notice on the website that it appears this facility is for Greater London Residents only, as if these are the only ones who travel by tube or bus with an 'invisible' disability.  I have to go to London several times a year so such a badge would be useful to me.  I am going to write to TfL to see what their rationale for this is (and the London Mayor too perhaps)

Parents
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Have you thought about using a walking stick to

    a) help steady yourself,

    b) make it obvious to people that you have a mobility problem. If you have an obvious issue then people are more likely to be sympathetic and to offer you their seat.

    I suspect that this might get a better reaction than a badge that you might have to explain - I could imagine that this might cause confusion and difficulties for someone with autism.

    I have recently had hip surgery and had to take the bus with my walking stick. Despite my stick and fairly obvious lack of agility I was disappointed to have to practically demand that someone give up one of the disabled priority seats for me. In the end, a elderly lady insisted on letting me have her seat even though there were more obvious able bodied, and younger, people occupying other disabled seats. Perhaps tube travellers are better mannered than provincial bus users though?

Reply
  • Former Member
    Former Member

    Have you thought about using a walking stick to

    a) help steady yourself,

    b) make it obvious to people that you have a mobility problem. If you have an obvious issue then people are more likely to be sympathetic and to offer you their seat.

    I suspect that this might get a better reaction than a badge that you might have to explain - I could imagine that this might cause confusion and difficulties for someone with autism.

    I have recently had hip surgery and had to take the bus with my walking stick. Despite my stick and fairly obvious lack of agility I was disappointed to have to practically demand that someone give up one of the disabled priority seats for me. In the end, a elderly lady insisted on letting me have her seat even though there were more obvious able bodied, and younger, people occupying other disabled seats. Perhaps tube travellers are better mannered than provincial bus users though?

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