Most of us don’t give much thought to safety protocols on the London Underground, but there are emergency call buttons at every station, and you may have seen these large white buttons as you’re walking through. Let’s find out more.

What do London Underground emergency call buttons look like?

The emergency call buttons – officially called Passenger Help Point buttons – are large, white and round, and they’re usually located at the top or bottom of an escalator. They are present on over 250 London Underground stations, and if you look closely, you’ll spot that there are actually two buttons: one for emergency help and one for general assistance and information. The call buttons are clearly signposted and designed to be easy to spot. Like other types of call buttons, their purpose is to help keep people safe when they are travelling.

What happens when you press a Passenger Help Point button

When you press one of the Passenger Help Point buttons, it will automatically connect with the operating room of the station. If it isn’t answered immediately, it will be rerouted to the London Underground Control Centre. TfL is working on ways to speed up the wait time so that callers receive immediate help

When should I use the PHP button?

Basically, if you have a safety concern or need immediate help from staff, use it. This means that any situations that involve potential danger, injury or illness on the train or platform justify the use of the PHP button.