The Mayor and Transport for London set out plans to make transport fairer and more accessible
Transport for London (TfL) has published an ambitious new customer plan to help create a fairer, more accessible and inclusive transport network for everyone.
The new plan, Equity in Motion, commits to more than 80 new and ambitious actions to further build on TfL and the Mayor’s ongoing efforts to create a fairer and safer London.
The wide-ranging commitments in the plan cover key areas for improvements around accessible travel, keeping customers safe, understanding customers, affordable travel, inclusive information and connecting Londoners.
The plan commits to introducing an innovative bridging device across the London Underground network by the summer for stations, which are designated step-free from street to train but where a small gap persists between train and platform.
More than 45 mini ramps are now being introduced across the network and this follows a TfL trial in 2022 on the Jubilee line. The device was designed to provide additional support and reassurance for customers, with TfL research showing that 63 per cent of respondents would be more likely to travel with this device.
New research will also be carried out to understand the needs of a range of different communities across London and TfL will create a new inclusive Design Centre of Excellence.
TfL will also be reviewing its approach to translating communications into different languages, including British Sign Language, increasing the number of step-free access stations, expanding the Project Guardian school sessions on sexual harassment and making it easier for people to report crime, antisocial behaviour, discrimination, and safety concerns.
The new commitments are part of a number of actions the Mayor is taking to achieve the ambition of his Transport Strategy and move London forward safely, inclusively and sustainably. The plan focuses on creating an equitable customer experience, protecting, and enhancing connectivity, keeping travel affordable and reducing health inequalities and includes a number of short-term and long-term commitments.
Several actions will be delivered this year, while others will be implemented by 2030, subject to Government funding. The plan’s commitments include increasing the proportion of step-free Tube stations and introducing mini ramps to cover the gap between the train and platform at all London Underground platforms that are step-free to train. There are also plans for a new travel concession entitling eligible care leavers to half‑price bus and tram travel.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, commented: “London is for everyone and I am committed to making our transport network as fair and accessible as possible so that every Londoner can make the most of our fantastic city.
‘TfL is committed to removing the barriers that people face when using the transport network and enabling more people to travel spontaneously, seamlessly and easily. Some of these vital improvements are already underway and there are many more to come, helping us to continue building a better, fairer London for everyone.”
Alex Williams, Chief Customer and Strategy Officer at TfL, added: “TfL has already begun work on many of the plan’s longer-term actions, including improving HGV safety standards, launching new cycle lanes and reducing road danger across London. Other longer-term actions include making further improvements to toilets across the network.”
In 2023, Transport for London announced that it was partnering with mobility scooter provider TGA to raise greater awareness of free assistance services for passengers with restricted mobility.
