Mobility impaired
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 Step-free Tube Guide.
- Many stations have a vertical step into the train which may be as high as 12 inches (300mm). There may also be a gap between the train and the platform. Please check before you travel whether you can manage this. The Step-free Tube guide shows the step and gap at each station.
- 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.
- Occasionally, a lift may be out of service. You can check this before you travel by using Journey Planner or calling our Customer Service Centre. Alternatively, you can sign up for free Tfl Travel alerts and get travel news sent to your mobile phone.
Before the station/ Entering the station
- London Underground currently has 58 stations which are step-free from street to platform, and other stations with step-free access to some platforms or with step-free interchange between platforms; full details can be found in the Step-free Tube guide.
- 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 stations have at least one ticket machine at a height accessible to wheelchair users.
- 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 an assistance 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.
- For your safety and that of other customers, you are not permitted to use an escalator while in a wheelchair. Wheelchairs can be folded and carried; please ask a member of staff for help.
- 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.
- Priority seats are being introduced on platforms.
Boarding a train
- Many stations have a vertical step into the train which may be as high as 12 inches (300mm). There may also be a gap between the train and the platform. Please check before you travel whether you can manage this. The Step-free Tube guide shows the step and gap at each station.
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.
- District, Jubilee and Northern lines have multipurpose areas suitable for wheelchairs, luggage and pushchairs.
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
- To reduce the step between the train and platform, we are installing platform humps on some platforms. These raise the platform to the level of the train. They are currently available at Brixton, Tottenham Hale, London Bridge, the Victoria line platforms at Kings Cross St Pancras and at stations on the Waterloo and City line.
- 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. Mobility impaired customers will benefit from a range of features including wheelchair spaces with clear signage, customer information and passenger emergency alarms.