| Would you give up your seat on the London Tube for me? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 18:20, 17th May 2026 |     |
From the BBC:
Would you give up your seat on the Tube for me?
TfL is encouraging commuters to be aware of those who might need their seat more - Image © Getty Images
It's a small badge that made a big difference. For the past 20 years, Transport for London's "Baby on Board" scheme has reshaped behaviour on public transport through a simple social signal. But does it still work?
I recently observed a lady wearing her Baby on Board badge waiting, like me, for the northbound Victoria line at Oxford Circus during the rush hour commute home. I clocked the familiar look of wariness as she scanned the Tube seats as the train pulled into the platform.
I too became anxious for her. If no one offered their seat up, I was prepared to give up their seat for them - they just didn't know it yet.
As the doors slid open, she made a beeline through the throng for the closest priority seat occupied by a young woman. She asked to sit down. The exchange happened swiftly and without drama. I sighed with relief for her.
I don't mean to sound so dramatic but watching her brought back vivid memories of my experience navigating the Tube during both my pregnancies.
(BBC article continues)
TfL is encouraging commuters to be aware of those who might need their seat more - Image © Getty Images
It's a small badge that made a big difference. For the past 20 years, Transport for London's "Baby on Board" scheme has reshaped behaviour on public transport through a simple social signal. But does it still work?
I recently observed a lady wearing her Baby on Board badge waiting, like me, for the northbound Victoria line at Oxford Circus during the rush hour commute home. I clocked the familiar look of wariness as she scanned the Tube seats as the train pulled into the platform.
I too became anxious for her. If no one offered their seat up, I was prepared to give up their seat for them - they just didn't know it yet.
As the doors slid open, she made a beeline through the throng for the closest priority seat occupied by a young woman. She asked to sit down. The exchange happened swiftly and without drama. I sighed with relief for her.
I don't mean to sound so dramatic but watching her brought back vivid memories of my experience navigating the Tube during both my pregnancies.
(BBC article continues)
| Re: Would you give up your seat on the London Tube for me? Posted by Oxonhutch at 21:37, 17th May 2026 | |
It recently came as a shock on the underground when someone offered to give up their seat for me !
| Re: Would you give up your seat on the London Tube for me? Posted by Chris from Nailsea at 22:01, 17th May 2026 | |
I remember, many years ago in my commuting days out of Bristol Temple Meads, sitting in one of the four vacant seats on a whole table, waiting for the train to depart, while I read some office paperwork. A family group approached along the aisle, discussing their wish for a family seating of four at a table. I promptly stood up and invited them to take all of those four seats, while I took a perfectly adequate alternative airline seat, further back in the carriage.
They were so appreciative, and vocal in their thanks - when all I had done was to have effectively reserved their table for them.
