Tube badge put to the test

A badge designed to encourage chivalry on the Tube has been roadtested by the Evening Standard.

Introduced by London Underground, it says "Baby on Board" and is to be worn by pregnant women in the hope that commuters will give up their seats to them.

But on a 45-minute peak time journey on the Piccadilly and District lines from Covent Garden to Putney it was met largely with indifference.

Only three men offered their seats to Kate Skinner, 28, a senior account manager. On the first Tube, 24-yearold James Murray, an accountant from West Acton, stood up immediately but said: "I didn't see the badge. I just saw she was a pregnant woman, so of course I'd get up."

In the next carriage commuters eyed the badge with interest but turned back to their reading material.

"I find people just tend to pick the paper up," said Ms Skinner. "They know full well you're pregnant, but they just read or close their eyes and pretend they can't see you." People shove her in all directions at the next stop and at least five men push in front of her. After a few minutes, Steve, 30, a designer from Acton, who declined to give his surname, removes his iPod headphones and motions to ask her if she wants a seat.

"I saw she was pregnant at first, but then I noticed the badge, and I guess that just makes it definite, so you know to get up," he said.

On the next carriage it takes even longer, and she is left standing for more than five minutes. "It's quite clear I've got a badge on," she says.

"But they just don't care." Still no one moves, until a man standing in the corner offers the cushioned wall position. Although she stands there for more than five minutes, no one is willing to offer their seats.

Once on the District line, the situation becomes worse. Five men in the carriage do not move from their seats. Women glance over, clearly see the badge but look away.

After a further five minutes, Michael Dobson, 28, a corporate tax manager from Southfields, offers his seat. "I just read the article 10 minutes ago, but I didn't see her at first. I mean, I would normally get up, but then I realised it was the badge."

But Ms Skinner is not convinced. "To be honest, as a pregnant woman I'd be embarrassed to wear it," she said. "It's just a bit too much in-your-face."

But London Underground says it hopes women will find the badge useful. Research has shown the majority of Londoners believe pregnant women should be offered a seat, but men are afraid to offer one in case women interpret this as patronising.