Transport for London is inviting Londoners aged under 25 years to apply to join the TfL Youth Panel to fairly represent the views of young people at senior meetings, making the government body one of the first transport organisations in the country to include representation from young people at quarterly meetings for the:
- Safety, Sustainability and Human Resources Panel
- Customer Service and Operational Performance Panel
The TfL Youth Panel is made up of 30 members, and the meetings will see one of its members attend in order to represent the views of young people from London.
The Youth Panel will go through papers ahead of meetings to create questions or suggestions that they want to put forward to TfL leaders and panel members.
A third of London's population is aged under 25 years and their viewpoint must be part of meetings to keep the transport network safe, accessible and inclusive.
20-Year-old Ho-Kit Lam has been appointed to represent the Youth Panel for Safety, Sustainability and Human Resource Panel meetings.
Applications to become the representative for the Customer Service and Operational Performance Panel will get underway later this month amongst current Panel members.
The position of representative lasts for a year before it is passed on to another Panel member.
During autumn 2023, Transport for London began an independent report ‘Tomorrow's TfL: The Youth Panel's Vision for the Future' which has investigated how to make London's Transport Network more equitable, inclusive and environmentally sustainable.
The report involved a 12-month research period where the Youth Panel looked in great detail at the topics, engaging with experts and leaders which have led to findings which include holding public hearings at City Hall.
Nine policy recommendations have been set out in the report which will support a more sustainable and inclusive transport network, including:
- TfL Youth Panel representation at senior meetings
- Youth Travel Ambassadors across London
- Publishing proposals to overcome barriers to sustainable travel
- A strong focus on ethnic and minority groups, including people with physical and mental health issues, as well as people from deprived backgrounds
The report has the full support of Transport for London and will build on ongoing efforts to improve the future of the London transport network.
The new plan lays out TfL's ongoing commitment to:
- Accessible travel
- Keeping customers safe
- Affordable travel
- Inclusive information
- Connecting Londoners
It's great to see that TfL will be ensuring young people's voices are represented at senior meetings from now on. With a third of our capital's population under 25, it is vital that young people's ideas and views are heard, as we work together for a greener, safer and more accessible network for all Londoners.
Seb Dance, Deputy Mayor for Transport
To help ensure London thrives and we have a transport network that is safe, green, connected, affordable and accessible to all we must listen to the views of young people. This is why having young voices represented at our senior meetings, where we plan policies and initiatives to improve London's transport network is so vital.
Lilli Matson, Transport for London Chief Health, Safety and Environment Officer
As a young Londoner, I have seen how diverse our communities are. We are looking forward to working with TfL's senior leaders to make London more inclusive and give a chance for all to decide on how London will be safer, greener and more sustainable in the future.
Ho-Kit Lam, Transport for London Youth Panel
