TransLink contemplates making ‘Please Offer Me A Seat’ buttons available

TransLink contemplates ‘Please Offer Me A Seat’ buttons for those who need to sit

The new 'Please Offer Me A Seat' button on the TTC in Toronto. (TTC)

Could a ‘Please Offer Me A Seat’ button program help improve one specific etiquette on Metro Vancouver’s public transit system?

Such buttons are already available on transit systems in New York City and London, and earlier this month were introduced on the TTC in Toronto.

Individuals who are disabled, pregnant or elderly can receive the free optional button from TTC collector booths and customer service agents. The buttons provide greater visibility for those who need a sit, but a seat is of course not guaranteed.

At this time, TransLink says it has no plans to launch a similar program, as Vancouverites are generally quite courteous, but it will be watching Toronto closely.

“TransLink is a leader in North America in terms of accessibility, and we are always looking for great ideas as we seek new ways to continue to improve,” TransLink spokesperson Chris Bryan told Daily Hive. “We will be monitoring the success of the button program in Toronto.”

On certain designated areas of a transit vehicle such as the front seats of a bus, TransLink already has stickers and signage with messages that remind passengers to be courteous to those who are in need of a seat.

“We encourage people to stay alert to someone who may have difficulty standing on transit,” added Bryan. “Also, sometimes the need is not immediately apparent. If someone asks for a seat, there’s probably a good reason why they’re asking.”

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