Alperton

Mental health and learning disabilities

Journey planning

• There is no need to pre-book assistance on London Underground. At the station you can ask a member of staff to help you – they are generally located by the ticket barriers or in the ticket office. All our staff receive regular training on how to assist disabled customers and will help you as far as it is safe to do so.
• We provide a wide range of journey planning information in addition to that on www.directenquiries.com. This is available to order or download from www.tfl.gov.uk/accessguides or by calling 020 7222 1234.
• A guide for people with learning difficulties on planning and making journeys – Out and About in London – is available. Copies can be ordered by calling 020 7222 1234.
• The 24 hour Travel Information Call Centre (tel: 020 7222 1234 / text: 0207 918 3015) can help you plan a journey that best meets your needs.

Buying a ticket

• Oyster is the cheapest and easiest way to pay. Oyster can be bought in advance and topped up via the internet, telephone or at a station or Ticket Stop.
• If you need help buying a ticket you can ask at the ticket office, or a member of staff in the ticket hall can help you use the ticket machines.
• Some customers with a disability are entitled to a Freedom Pass which allows free travel on the Tube. You can find out if you are eligible by contacting your local council.

Getting to platform

• You can ask a member of staff to help you get to the platform. They will help you as far as it is safe to do so.
• Priority seats are being introduced on platforms.

On the train

• All trains have clearly marked priority seating next to doors. These are for disabled people, pregnant women, older people, those travelling with children and anyone less able to stand. Customers are expected to leave these seats free or vacate them if they see someone who might require a seat. If no one offers, feel free to ask.
• All trains, apart from the Metropolitan line, have automatic voice announcements. These announce the current and next stations, and the destination of the train.
• The District, Jubilee, Northern and Piccadilly lines have visual information displays inside the train. These show the current and next stations, and the destination of the train.
• Service disruption information will be broadcast by the driver using the public address system.
• Service information is also available in visual format in ticket halls, either on whiteboards or on electronic displays.

Other help

• Help and Information Points are being installed in all ticket halls, and on platforms and passageways. They can be used to obtain information, seek help or raise the alarm in case of emergency.

Future improvements

• From 2009, new trains will be introduced on the Victoria line, and between 2011 and 2015, new trains will be introduced on the Metropolitan, Circle and District lines.
• These new trains will feature improved accessibility. Customers with mental health issues and learning disabilities will benefit from a range of features including modern automatic visual and audio systems advising of current and next station information, and details of service disruptions.