How often do you see a wheelchair user on the tube?

Disabled people make an average of 30% fewer journeys every year than non-disabled people. This is the transport accessibility gap.

Imagine a stuffed tube journey with your personal space invaded. Pretty standard for London. But now imagine if you are in a wheelchair. Would you still be motivated to use the tube? How would you feel when you see a busy carriage?
59% of disabled people say overcrowding is a barrier on the tube.

Commuting on the tube with a mobility issue or disability is nerve racking and stressful.

What can we do?
A marketing campaign with posters and messaging on the TFL.

"Get off so we can get on"

Similar to the London bus, by law, wheelchair users should have priority over a space as it is the only place they can travel safely. When a wheelchair user is not using the space, passengers can use it on a first come first served basis. But if a wheelchair user is on the platform waiting, passengers must disembark and switch carriages or wait for the next tube.

You'd think that this would happen already but unfortunately it doesn't. People are so desperate to stay on the tube they will not disembark to make space for a wheelchair user. Thus, the tube carriage appears overcrowded making it nerve racking for a wheelchair user to onboard. There needs to be a clear message to stress how important it is for passengers to get off to make space. 

With a simple campaign like this, we can encourage social change and take one step in the right direction to making transport in London more accessible. After all, every journey matters. 

Photo: Graham Turner