Section 8: Equality and disability awareness
946 words · checked 2026-10-03 · Pro
Section 8 explains your legal duties under the Equality Act 2010 and how to give the best service to every passenger, including older and disabled people. Public transport lets people reach work, education, services, family and friends, so TfL expects drivers to help everyone travel with the same opportunities. Taxi drivers have the same duties, set out in the equality and disability section of the taxi handbook.
The Equality Act 2010: protected characteristics
It is illegal to treat anyone unfairly because of any of these nine characteristics:
| Protected characteristic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Age | Disability | Gender reassignment |
| Marriage and civil partnership | Pregnancy and maternity | Race |
| Religion or belief | Sex | Sexual orientation |
Neither you nor your passengers may use discriminatory language or behaviour. Treat every passenger professionally and respectfully, without judging or making assumptions about them.
Key fact: There are nine protected characteristics. Things like job, income or postcode are not on the list.
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