Who should be given the priority seat?

[Munchcrip]

If there is only one priority seat on the bus and there is one elderly, a pregnant woman (let's say third trimester), and a mum or dad with their toddler. Who should get the priority seat?
What's the etiquette?

Elderly then pregnant woman

How can anyone say for sure without seeing them - 'elderly' doesn't always mean impaired mobility. I don't see why the toddler and their parent should need it - on the face of it - but one of them might have an impairment of some kind. The pregnant woman might be fit or unfit, well or unwell and so on.

In general I would say the order should be:
Elderly person
Pregnant person
Parent with toddler.

However I guess it is hard to say without knowing what other issues each of these people might have which m might impact their ability to stand.

Assuming the elderly person is frail and would find it hard to either walk down the aisle on the bus or wait in the cold for the next one then they should get the priority seat. Able bodied people sitting in nearest non priority seats should then offer a seat to the pregnant woman and parent (who ought to be able to walk down the aisle to them). Once upon a time bus drivers used to enforce this by refusing to move off until those in need of a seat were offered one.

All things being equal, I would go Elderly, Pregnant, Parent.

There are always other factors to consider though.

Then someone gets off non-priority seats for them all.
I would say the elder first if clearly unsteady, then the pregnant woman if there had to be an order.

Probably elderly, pregnant, then parent with toddler.

Whichever one actually needs to sit down 🙄

Depending on the situational context, it could be any of them depending on the urgency of needing a seat. Id look and assess the situation at the time it's happening then allocate the seat accordingly.

I sort of agree with the order of those given, but sometimes I begrudge giving up my seat (on the train) for some elderly people, for example a group who have been walking in the hills and then demand a seat. They get a swift no from me.

I have been the person about 10 seats away make a point of getting up for pregnant lady though, but mostly because when I was pregnant my ankles did get swollen and after a long at work, a seat would have been heaven haha!

Elderly should have the option first but I know a lot of elderly people that would be highly offended of having a seat over a heavily pregnant woman ... The woman and toddler is bottom of the pile though I understand the need for a seat with a toddler.

As said, all things equal, elderly, pregnant, parent with toddler.

Depends but probably

Elderly
Pregnant
Parent with toddler

Thank you everyone!

I that case other people should stand up so they all get a seat!

Elderly person if they need it
Pregnant woman if she wants it.
Child with parent

But all of that relies on them all being honest and in real need. Because having a hierarchy is one thing. Having the greatest need is another.

Elderly first, but I can tell you with confidence my 84 year old mum would insist on getting up for the pregnant lady.

I agree with the consensuous but there's a huge difference between a fit 65 year old and a woman suffering with crippling pelvic pain like I was. I could barely walk.

Unless additional needs I'd expect toddler could stand to be honest.

Why on earth do these three have to fight amongst themselves for one seat when a younger/fitter/less pregnant person could stand up so they could all sit down.
My order would probably be elderly person, pregnant woman then parent+toddler- but really they should all get a seat. Toddlers are quite unsafe on a moving bus and should be held on a lap.

Eldery first. If they fall they ate more likely to get injured.

Pregnant vs toddler... its not straightforward. The pregnant woman may be more tired, but the toddler is more unsteady... there often isn't somewhere for them to hold onto.

I can't imagine why a parent with a toddler would need a priority seat at all, based on being a parent alone?

Have you ever travelled on a bus with a toddler?

Elderly if frail, pregnant woman, fit and able elderly, family last

@FaintlyMacabre

Have you ever travelled on a bus with a toddler?

Hundreds of times. I have never sat in the priority seat though, why would I?

The person with the greatest level of disability, be that permanent or temporary. Impossible to say which that would be, on the information given.