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?

Parent with toddler shouldn't even be a consideration in this.

I wouldn't consider 65 as elderly.

Parent and toddler should just find a non priority seat.

Elderly should get it if possible (and actually elderly!) as it's closer to the door so less walking needed on a moving bus.

Heavily pregnant would then be next priority but they could sit elsewhere - id expect someone in a non priority seat to offer theirs to the preggo

And most importantly anyone who is sat anywhere and doesn’t need the seat should stand up and offer theirs anyway.

Depends who looks like they will fall down first. Ideally someone else should stand and give them a non priority seat..

@Sirzy

And most importantly anyone who is sat anywhere and doesn’t need the seat should stand up and offer theirs anyway.

Exactly this. Its not like they can ONLY sit in a priority seat.

Whoever actually needs it most. My friend was still running every day her third trimester. My elderly FIL is still fit and active and easily able to stand.

There aren’t hard and fast rules.

Why, what happened?

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.

When I was a child, it was expected that children would give up their seats to adults. I can remember seeing signs on buses saying CHILDREN MUST NOT OCCUPY SEATS WHEN ADULTS ARE STANDING.

Elderly person
Pregnant person
Parent with toddler.

If there were no other seats and i was pregnant and not going too far I would offer my seat up for the parent and toddler so the toddler could sit down.

There's probably someone who's decided their bag needs a seat so that's another seat going right there.

Depends on the state of health of all three.

@ProfessionalWeirdo

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.

When I was a child, it was expected that children would give up their seats to adults. I can remember seeing signs on buses saying CHILDREN MUST NOT OCCUPY SEATS WHEN ADULTS ARE STANDING.

You see I don’t get that, I can stand pretty steadily so would always offer my seat to a parent with a toddler so the toddler could sit down.

That said when busy the toddler should in most cases be on an adults knee if the adult with them is also sitting

@FaintlyMacabre

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.

THIS ^

How can “all things be equal” across a pregnant woman, an elderly person and someone with a toddler?

Fit people who are able to stand easily occupying the non priority seats should offer their places to those less able to stand.

Generally speaking, elderly, then pregnant. When I take toddler DD on the bus, I don’t feel like we particularly need a seat - certainly not over anyone who has a specific reason for needing one.

Pregnant person

Person? There's a word for pregnant people. A very good word.

Sorry - missing the point of the thread entirely there.

I don’t see why toddler needs a seat either. You hold on and they hold onto you.
We got the bus loads and I had 3 kids!

A driver once made me vacate the priority seat with my guide dog so a woman could get in with her pushchair.

There were no other seats so I had to stand.

Another time though I jumped on a bus and was only going one stop when a woman offered me a seat. I politely declined but she was insistent and said to her husband, “Fred (obviously not his rl name) get up and give the lady your seat.” And when Fred got up I realised that he was on crutches.

CHILDREN MUST NOT OCCUPY SEATS WHEN ADULTS ARE STANDING
Is it because children don't pay or only pay half fare??

Not a great reason though

In reality, not many people give a damn and wouldn't move for anyone. I'm 38 weeks pregnant and had to get the bus the other day with my 2 year old niece in tow, shopping bags etc. Bus driver took off as soon as I'd paid before I even got a chance to look at a seat. We were left falling around the aisle, having to walk to the back of the bus past so many people who looked right through us. Some people are ignorant sods.

@PurpleDaisies

How can “all things be equal” across a pregnant woman, an elderly person and someone with a toddler?

For me personally, I meant frail elderly, heavily pregnant and small toddler. As opposed to sprightly 75 year old, early pregnancy and robust big toddler. Equally is probably the wrong word. 🤷🏼‍♀️

Very pleased with the conductor on the tram a few days ago. He asked a woman with a child, taking up two priority seats to move for an elderly, partially sighted gentleman with a stick. Unless a bus or tram is full, those seats should not be used by anyone who doesn’t really need them. All too often they are.

She put the child on her lap very ungraciously so the man could sit beside her. If she’d sat on one of the many other vacant seats, both she and her child would have been fine.

@Movingonup22

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

This! The person with mobility issues should get the priority seat because they are positioned near the doors. The others should get seats because those seated who can stand should give them up even if it’s not a priority seat.