Transport providers around the West Midlands are being urged to follow the lead of London's operator by recognising 'invisible' disabilities.

Transport For London has announced the launch of a new badge and card system designed to encourage passengers to offer their seats to anyone who is less able to stand.

The ‘please offer me a seat’ badge will work in the same way as the ‘baby on board’ badges for pregnant women, allowing the wearer to alert other passengers to their need to sit down without having to go through the awkwardness of asking someone to stand up.

The transport operator, which runs services including buses and London Underground, is recruiting 1,000 people for a month-long trial. Everyone involved will be sent the badge and card, with the trial intended as a way to assess how well the system works in practice. In their announcement TFL also noted that anyone wearing one of the badges shouldn’t feel pressure to explain why they’re wearing one. 

The trial will launch in September. If you’re someone with an illness or condition that makes it harder for you to stand on public transport, you can sign up to the trial on the TFL site.