This week is Priority Seating week across the Transport for London (TfL) network. As part of TfL’s Equality in Motion strategy, and raising awareness that not all health conditions or disabilities are visible, Dame Tracey Emin has recorded announcements for TfL, which are being played at some interchange stations across the network this week.

Dame Tracey is a celebrated artist and currently has an exhibition on at the Tate Modern, on London’s South Bank, reflecting on her personal experiences of living with cancer and disabilities.

According to the Trust for London 2021 Census, 13% of Londoners are identified as disabled. Tracy’s role as a temporary station announcer at stations across the capital this week emphasises TfL’s ongoing commitment to make its network as accessible and inclusive for all.

Priority Seats have become a familiar sight on all railway networks across the UK. Last year, TfL rebranded such seats on its trains across its vast network with a specially designed moquette stating ‘This is a Priority Seat’. TfL has also introduced blue signs on some of the doors on the Docklands Light Railway rolling stock, showing where the wheelchair and buggy accessible parts of the train are, giving commuters a chance to head for and board the correct part of the train before the doors open.

In 2017, TfL launched its ‘Please offer Me a Seat’, ‘Baby on Board’ and ‘Babies on Board’ badges, encouraging commuters to be aware and to look up and see those around them and to give up their seat for someone who needs it. Those who do give up their seat really make a difference to someone’s day.

These badges are currently being given out by TfL staff this week at stations across London between 7:30 & 9:30 am, including at Ealing Broadway, Walthamstow Central, Woolwich and Ilford. These badges are also available online via the TfL website and over the phone.

“Through my own experiences of cancer, which led me to having a stoma, I know just how much of an impact a health condition or disability can have on something like standing on a train. Any one of us can have a health condition or disability, and because many of these don’t have outward cues, that might mean people miss out on things that would really help them like getting a seat on public transport. If you’re out and about in London, please do offer your seat if you don’t need it yourself – you never know what a difference you could make.”

Artist Tracey Emin

“Living with a disability or long-term health issue can make travelling a challenging experience, which is why the Mayor is committed to ensuring the capital’s transport network is as accessible as possible. Dame Tracey Emin’s station announcements will raise awareness that not all disabilities are visible and encourage Londoners to offer their seat to someone who may need it, if they are able to. We are proud to support TfL’s Priority Seating Week, as we build a better, fairer and more inclusive London for all.”

Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, Dr Debbie Weekes-Bernard