Transport for London trials dog house-shaped calm space

Transport for London (TfL) has launched a four-week trial of a dog house-shaped “calm space” at Ealing Broadway station. The small pod, which features a bench, noise-dampening acoustics, and a forest mural, is intended to support neurodivergent travelers.

The initiative is part of TfL’s “Equity in Motion” strategy, a customer inclusion plan launched in February 2024 aimed at making travel more accessible and inclusive. Mark Evers, who leads customer insight, strategy, and experience at TfL, stated that the trial aims to understand how the network can better support customers who may find busy environments overwhelming.

The installation has faced public backlash, with critics questioning the priority of the project in light of other ongoing issues, including train delays, cleanliness, broken escalators, and significant revenue loss from fare evasion.