Tube chiefs are considering installing special “staff only” seats on station concourses that make users look like they are working rather than resting.
A Transport for London report said: “The staff member must look approachable when located in the seat; i.e. avoid perceptions of off-duty resting spot for staff or area of inactivity.
“Seat needs to be a raised height, sit-stand, ‘bar stool’ style seat in order for staff to be adequately visible to customers and not appear to be off-duty.”
The seats, which would be in public areas, are among changes planned following the scrapping of most ticket offices.
The report, The Human Factors of London Underground Fit for the Future, by TfL’s designer Nigel Scard, adds: “It needs to be possible to use a mobile device while sitting on the seat.
"This may mean that staff may need to rest a mobile device such as a tablet device on their laps.”
A “customer reception table” for use by staff and passengers is also being considered, but the report states: “The table top will slope to a sufficient degree that coffee cups cannot be placed upon it.”
Gareth Powell, London Underground’s director of strategy, said: “Some staff would appreciate a seat for short periods between serving customers.
"We’re having a look at this to ensure it would be an appropriate size, comfortable, hard-wearing and easy to maintain.”
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