The Mayor of London, Sadiq Kahn and Transport for London (TfL) have published a plan that aims to make London transport fairer, more accessible and more inclusive.
The plan, entitled Equity in Motion, commits to more than 80 actions to improve the capital’s transport network. This includes increasing the proportion of step-free Tube stations from a third to half.
To do so, an innovative bridging device will be introduced across the London Underground network at sites with a small gap between train and platform.
In addition, new research will be carried out to understand the needs of different communities across London. TfL will also be reviewing its approach to translating communications into different languages, including British Sign Language.
Other initiatives include expanding the Project Guardian school sessions on sexual harassment and making it easier for people to report crime, antisocial behaviour, discrimination and safety concerns.
Ultimately, these initiatives aim to help make everyone feel welcome on the transport network, enabling more people to travel confidently.
“Our vision is a London where everyone can move around the city safely, inclusively and sustainably, and access to public transport is a fundamental component in making this happen. While we have taken steps to make our network more accessible, we know that much more needs to be done. Equity in Motion draws on the experiences and viewpoints of a range of Londoners, prioritising the areas they want to see improved to create tangible actions that drive forward change and help make London a truly fair city.”
Several of the planned actions will be delivered this year, while others will be implemented by 2030, subject to government funding.
Specifically, the plan’s commitments include:
Accessible Travel
- Increasing the proportion of step-free Tube stations from a third to half
- Introducing mini ramps to cover the gap between the train and platform
- Launching an innovation challenge aimed at improving travel for disabled people
- More dedicated spaces for wheelchair users and buggies on Bakerloo, Central and Waterloo & City line trains
- Conducting a feasibility study into how TfL can increase customer toilet provision
- Installing priority seating moquettes to 1,000 Routemaster buses by 2025
- Delivering a new equality impact assessment (EqIA) awareness programme and supporting TfL staff with training
Keeping Customers Safe
- Expanding TfL’s Project Guardian school sessions on sexual harassment to 28,000 Year 9 students
- Making it easier for customers to report crime, antisocial behaviour and safety concerns, including adding reporting to TfL’s website and TfL Go app by 2026
- Training staff to call out and help reduce all forms of harassment and to support victims
- Using safety audits to gather data on how to design public spaces to improve the safety of all of our customers including women, girls and gender-diverse people
- Innovation challenges to look at reducing discrimination and improving safety on buses and escalators
- Engaging with communities on streetscape design schemes, including bus infrastructure such as bus stop bypasses
Understanding Customers
- Creating a new inclusive Design Centre of Excellence
- Researching the needs of a range of communities in London, including LGBTQ+ people
- Reviewing TfL’s approach to customer and stakeholder engagement to ensure a diverse range of voices are heard
- Conducting disability equality training with frontline staff
More Affordable Travel
- Launching a new travel concession giving eligible care leavers half‑price bus and tram travel
- Conducting a study on how the cost of travel affects people with protected characteristics
Inclusive Information
- Introducing self-service to Dial-a-Ride to enable customers to book, amend and cancel trips
- Reviewing TfL’s approach to translating communications into different languages, including British Sign Language
- Adding virtual tools to the TfL Go app and website to help customers better understand the network’s accessibility
- Introducing hundreds of new real-time information displays for bus stops and shelters
- Reviewing wayfinding at interchanges to ensure directions meet diverse needs
Connecting Londoners
- Carrying out inclusivity audits at stations
- Researching the barriers to walking across protected characteristic groups
- Expanding the electric cycle hire scheme, particularly in areas of high deprivation
