Nottingham Express Transit have become the latest organisation in the city to back the recently launched “Please offer me a seat” badge campaign in partnership with Nottingham City Council and Nottingham City Transport. As seen on many other public transport networks both in the UK and worldwide this sees those with disabilities able to get a badge letting other users know they need a seat while a second badge says “Happy to move for you”.
Rebekah Smith, NET Marketing Manager, said: “Many disabled people have experienced an unwillingness from some of their fellow passengers to offer them a seat, despite being in visible pain and discomfort. Whilst this may be in part due to naivety or ignorance, some have even experienced hostility on public transport. “With the introduction of these badges, disabled people can gain confidence through knowing that other users are more than happy to move for them.”
The idea behind the badges came from a member of the Disability Involvement Group who witnessed the success of a similar scheme in London.
It is hoped that the “Happy to move for you” badge will break down the existing barriers for disabled people as they will know who is happy to be approached and avoid any possible confrontation.
The badges can be collected from NET’s Travel Centre in King Street, NCT’s Travel Centre on South Parade and the Victoria Travel Centre at Victoria Bus Station.
I reckon this is a brilliant idea. I use a walking aid so it should be reasonable to expect that other people recognise I have a degree of disability. However, there have been a couple of occasions where I have asked passengers on trams, and buses too for that matter, if they would mind moving shopping off seats so that I might sit down in instances where the vehicles are crowded. Twice I’ve been subjected to verbal abuse for even daring to ask.