Deaf and hard of hearing
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.
- 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.
Before the station/ Entering the station
- All car parks operated by LU have accessible spaces, free for use by Blue Badge holders.
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.
- All of our ticket offices have induction loops, which you can use by switching your hearing aid to the T position.
- 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
- If you have a hearing dog, staff will help you avoid escalators where possible, or stop them to allow you and your dog to walk. However, at busy times it may not be possible to stop escalators immediately, as it may cause overcrowding. If you feel able, you may carry your dog on the escalator.
- Many of our stations have wide-aisle automatic ticket gates that you can operate, so you don't have to wait to be let through a manual gate.
On 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 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.
- Help and Information Points are fitted with an induction loop, which you can use by switching your hearing aid to the T position.
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. Deaf and hard of hearing customers will benefit from a range of features including modern automatic visual systems advising of current and next station information, and details of service disruptions.