Transport for London awarded highest equality rating

Business in the Community Member Transport for London has become the first transport authority in the UK to achieve a Level 5 rating for equality standards. The award was achieved by demonstrating real equality improvements in the delivery of its passenger services as well as its employment practices.

By achieving a five star equality rating Transport for London has demonstrated its commitment to improving the accessibility of its transport services for all. This achievement also acknowledges the importance TfL places on good employment practices for its staff whose hard work and dedication we rely on everyday

Achievement of highest possible rating 

The achievement of the highest possible rating results from work across the organisation to promote equality and diversity in the workplace, the continued delivery of major improvements to the accessibility of London’s transport system and an innovative approach to ensuring that these best practice  principles are enshrined in our procurement contracts.

Improvements

Improvements to the transport system include the operation of an entire fleet of low floor buses and the continued investment in step free access for Tube stations. Transport for London has also introduced dedicated equality training for all its employees and staff network groups have developed a more active support and development role.

Equality

At the beginning of 2008, Britain's leading gay equalities organisation, Stonewall, rated Transport for London sixth in the top 100 employers for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff in the country in their 2008 Workplace Equality Index.The annual Stonewall Workplace Equality Index is the definitive national benchmark of Britain's top employers of lesbian, gay and bisexual staff. It ranks the top 100 employers according to criteria including implementation of effective equality policies and how lesbian and gay staff, customers and service users are engaged with.

Supplier Diversity

In addition, Transport for London is regularly cited as an example of best practice for its supplier diversity procurement programme which ensures all its suppliers also have measures in place that promote diversity, equality and inclusion.