Blind and partially sighted
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.
- Our journey planning information includes the large print Tube map in colour and black & white, and the audio Tube map and station guide.
- 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.
- Text guides to station layout and facilities are available for a number of stations at www.describe-online.com; these guides also work with screen reader software.
- Tactile and large print station layout plans are available for Old Street, Westminster and Earl’s Court stations. These are available to borrow at the stations.
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.
- 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.
- If you have a guide 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.
- Tactile warning surfaces are being installed on all staircases as we refurbish our stations.
- Priority seats are being introduced on platforms.
Boarding a train
- A member of staff will help you onto the train and, if necessary, help you find a seat. They will then call ahead to your destination or interchange stations and arrange for a member of staff to meet and assist you there too.
- Tactile warning surfaces are being installed on platforms as we refurbish our stations.
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.
- Service disruption information will be broadcast by the driver using the public address system.
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. Blind and partially sighted customers will benefit from a range of features including modern automatic audio systems advising of current and next station information, and details of service disruptions and improved lighting.