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Artist Emin makes big announcement for Priority Seating Week

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Transport staff will be at Norwood Junction Station on Thursday, handing out free “Please Offer Me a Seat”, “Baby on Board” and “Babies on Board” badges, as part of activities around TfL’s Priority Seating Week.

It’s the eighth year that Transport for London has staged such an awareness week, and this year it has Turner Prize-winning artist Tracey Emin providing specially recorded announcements for Tube and bus stations.

The announcements encourage people to be mindful of non-visible conditions and to give up their seat if they can to those with greater need.

Priority Seating Week (which runs until May 17) recognises that 13% of Londoners identify as disabled. “It is vital that the capital’s transport network is as fair, accessible and inclusive as possible,” TfL says.

Emin has an exhibition at Tate Modern centring on her experiences of cancer and disability. Her announcement reminds passengers that not all health conditions are visible. The announcement will be played at 10 central London Underground stations including Bank, Canary Wharf and Liverpool Street, as well as at several bus stations, for the duration of Priority Seating Week.

Many non-visible conditions can make it more difficult for people to stand when they use public transport and getting a seat can make a huge difference to their day. These can include physical conditions, mental health conditions and forms of neurodivergence. TfL’s “Please Offer Me a Seat” badge and card can be ordered online or over the phone on 0343 222 1234.

Emin said: “Through my own experiences of cancer I know just how much of an impact a health condition or disability can have on something like standing on a train.

“Any one of us can have a health condition or disability, and because many of these don’t have outward cues, that might mean people miss out on things that would really help them like getting a seat on public transport.

Announcement: Dame Tracey Emin has an exhibition of her work at Tate Modern

“If you’re out and about in London, please do offer your seat if you don’t need it yourself – you never know what a difference you could make.”

Emma Strain, TfL’s Customer Director, said: “Londoners are kind and compassionate and will so often give up their seats for others, but we can always be more mindful of people when we travel.

“Disabilities and health conditions can affect anyone and vary from person to person, impacting people in ways we might not expect – and in many cases you simply can’t tell someone has one just from their appearance.

“Tracey Emin’s art has spoken to many of us over the years, and we hope her announcements this week encourage us all to look up when we’re travelling and, if we feel able to, give our seat to someone with a badge or anyone who asks or needs to sit down.”

Around 170,000 “Please Offer Me A Seat” badges have been issued to customers since they were introduced 2017, with one now on display in the Victoria and Albert Museum in the Design, Architecture and Digital Department collection. The “Baby on Board” badge has been available for 20 years, with the “Babies on Board” badge introduced in March.

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