Handicapped access using underground
 

one of my sisters is handicapped and uses a cane. I’m told that there is handicapped access using the tube. Can someone explain how to use this feature?

There is no personal 'assistance' if that is what you mean. Some tube stations are step free but most are not. TFL's various Underground maps show which stations are step free. I personally would also avoid stations with escalators (a LOT of stations). I had never thought how daunting getting on a down escalator can be until one trip where I had to use a cane and was totally freaked at the top of a long down escalator. (Up escalators are not really a problem)

If she has mobility problems then buses are great, as are a few tube stations, and of course taxis and local trains and the DLR. (the light rail in east London)

Here is a link to my cane-encumbered trip report: https://www.fodors.com/community/eur...a-gtg-1598467/

I just noticed that being from before the Fodors format change, the html in my TR is a bit broken. I'm going to ask the moderators to fix it up if possible . . . but it is still readable.

There are also sometimes long walks to get to and from the platforms. Your sister may wish to save her energy and rely more on buses and taxis.

Thanks Janisj! Your advice is noted. I think bus and taxi is the way to go.

Useful bus routes:

https://content.tfl.gov.uk/bus-route...ral-london.pdf

https://londonblog.tfl.gov.uk/2018/1...r-sightseeing/

A note on language for your trip. I know that the term handicapped is in common usage in North America but it is not now used in the UK and you are likely to offend people here if you use it. Use the word disabled instead.

+1

I had never noticed how disabled unfriendly the tube was until I took my mother to London. I was hoping to read there are more lifts (elevators) these days but it seems about the same.

Mom really enjoyed the buses. Not only was it easier for her, but she liked that she could see outside.

Given how old most of the system is it is not surprising that many places just can't be made accessible without a huge amount of investment and disruption.

I prefer buses anyway given my claustrophobia.

https://tfl.gov.uk/transport-accessibility/

Improvements are occurring

It is a major piece of expensive infrastructure work to make the Tube fully accessible, especially given much of it is Victorian in origin. Making buses accessible is the cheaper and easier option which has been pursued. Buses are not always a fast option given traffic conditions etc but you do have something to look at when delayed, other than a stuffy dark tunnel.

I live in London for around half of the year and would say I use buses and tubes in equal measures to get around. Some, shorter routes can actually be quicker by bus though most longer routes are usually quicker, often by a substantial margin. You can use the the Transport for London website to plan any route and can set it to show "step free access" https://tfl.gov.uk

Even with a cane, I wouldn't entirely discount using the underground. I am not disabled, but did once break an ankle and still had to commute to offices in the city and Westmisnter and the only viable way was the underground. It was daunting for the first couple of times standing on crutches at the top of the escalator looking down but I quickly got used to it. The one thing I did quickly learn was to avoid going anywhere during the rush hours - even these days, most people will generally be very courteous and offer a seat in a carriage, in between the station entrance and platform not so much.

I'm not disabled, but I was impressed with the TfL app. When searching point-to-point, the results include the walking route and distance to the tube station and the same at the other end. If you tap the disabled icon, the search results route through step-free stations.