A campaign to get people chatting on the tube has divided commuters and been disowned by Transport for London.
Tube Chat is a campaign giving out badges to users on the London Underground for them to wear as a sign they are happy to be approached by fellow travellers for a chat.
The unofficial movement has been met with apprehension by many and deemed controversial because of its similarity to the official TfL ‘baby on board’ and ‘please offer me a seat’ badges being trialled for pregnant and disabled commuters.
#tube_chat is simultaneously the least & most British thing I've ever seen. Suggesting public social interaction, but doing so in badge form
— Maddie Soper (@misformaddie) 29 September 2016
TfL has distanced itself from the campaign and is trying to get in touch with the people behind it as it does not allow its branding to be used without permission.
A TfL spokeswoman said: “This is not an official Transport for London campaign.
“We currently only promote two badges to be worn while travelling - our Baby on Board badge and a new trial badge for people with hidden disabilities which encourages passengers to offer those less able to stand a seat.”
I'd rather wear a t-shirt with my twitter handle so they can tweet me. It's the only acceptable way to talk to strangers #tube_chat
— Kerri (@Kerri_Prince) 29 September 2016
TfL believes there may be a danger of people confusing the badge with the official badges.
Norwich South MP Clive Lewis, who called responses to the badges ‘somewhat extreme’, said: “It is a wonderful idea to help breakthrough modern insularity.”
This is a city of people who will happily dawdle and catch a later train, in order to avoid small talk with their own friends. #tube_chat
— Gareth Dimelow (@gdimelow) 29 September 2016
If the campaign gains traction, it could mean big changes to the environment on the Northern line – the second-busiest tube line which serves 13 different stations in Barnet.
Would you be up for a Tube Chat? Let us know in the comments.
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