A damning report from the London Assembly Transport Committee has concluded that Transport for London (TfL) is "lacking depth and nuance" in its engagement with the needs of disabled people, with efforts described as "surface level" and insufficient. The investigation highlights that many of London's 1.2 million disabled residents, along with parents and elderly individuals, are being put off from using public transport entirely due to persistent barriers.
Inadequate Data Collection and Engagement
The committee's months-long probe revealed structural problems within TfL, including poor data collection and usage. Elly Baker, chair of the Transport Committee, emphasized that TfL's Equity in Motion strategy, launched in 2024, merely lists existing good practices without a thorough self-assessment. She stated, "TfL has been resting on its laurels a little bit," noting a lack of positive competition over its 25-year history and insufficient reflection of modern inclusion thinking.
Recommendations include TfL collecting more detailed data on travel patterns, establishing diverse advisory panels, and publishing an annual equality assessment. The London Travel Demand Survey, sent to 8,000 households, is due for a refresh to include questions on passenger spend, journey times, care-related travel, and companionship.
Barriers to Access
Campaign group Transport for All reported that many disabled people prefer public transport but are forced into cars or taxis due to inaccessible routes. Key issues include a lack of step-free access, with only about a third of stations offering level boarding, despite TfL's goal to make half step-free by 2030. Additional challenges involve difficulty reading signs and maps, negative attitudes from staff and fellow passengers when seeking assistance or using priority seats, and avoidance of peak travel times due to stress and anxiety.
London Travel Watch added that overcrowding exacerbates these barriers, limiting priority spaces and seating. The report warns that without improvements, disabled and older residents face increased risks of social exclusion, isolation, and inequality.
Calls for Accountability and Action
The committee urged TfL to use improved data to update its Equity in Motion strategy, which includes over 80 actions such as more dedicated spaces for wheelchair users on certain tube lines and 1,000 new priority seats on buses. However, skepticism remains about whether the 2030 deadline is achievable with the current level of detail.
Liberal Democrat Assembly Member Hina Bokhari lamented the absence of a dedicated Disability Champion to hold the Mayor and TfL accountable, suggesting resistance due to potential discomfort. She stressed the need for co-production with Deaf and Disabled Londoners from the start of policy-making, arguing that accessibility benefits everyone. The report underscores that TfL must move beyond superficial efforts to ensure a truly inclusive transport network for all Londoners.
