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?

The toddler could be disabled 🤯

@Hmum0fthree

The toddler could be disabled 🤯

So could the pregnant woman or elderly person.

It’s a daft question. It totally depends on the individuals involved.

@Hmum0fthree

The toddler could be disabled 🤯

Could be, but maybe if we just assume they are not, and that OP has given all the information?

@drawingpad Op hasn't given any information though,I have a family friend that is classed as elderly she can walk much further than I can at 33 weeks pregnant

[quote Hmum0fthree]@drawingpad Op hasn't given any information though,I have a family friend that is classed as elderly she can walk much further than I can at 33 weeks pregnant [/quote]

Can think the abscense of information means we can discount the toddler being disabled though?

Quite often it is the half-cut, beligerent yob eating a McDonald's who seems to get it.

Hopefully other people would also stand but I would get up and let them scrap for it

@tirednewmumm

Hopefully other people would also stand but I would get up and let them scrap for it

What other people?

Toddlers are more unsteady, but they also have less far to fall, and have more "green" bones. I broke a few bones before my bones had fully fused, and the doctors always said that the injuries would have been worse in someone older.

I always find it a bit weird though that you're required to wear a seat belt in a car but can even stand up in a bus travelling up to fifty or sixty mph.

How busy is the bus? It is not safe for toddlers or young children to stand if it is packed. They are too short to reach the overhead handles, and their heads are at groin height of most adults. They are at severe risk of being trampled on, and easily overlooked by taller people. In this circumstance, I have permitted two five year olds to sit together on a bus, while I, and other adults stood. Because it was the safest way for the children to travel . Some standing adults glared at me, but the safety of the children is more important. If the standing adults were elderly, pregnant or disabled, then of course I would have made the children give up their seat, but for healthy adults, no. And I'm talking about regular seats, not the priority ones, which of course I would leave for priority needs travellers.

@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.

This. I look perfectly normal and healthy but I have Long Covid. Today my heart rate is up, my breathing isn't great and I have terrible fatigue. If I had to take public transport I'd ldefinitely need a seat. If a younger person was occupying a seat I'd be beyond grateful if they gave it to me!

Elderly person.. They didn't choose to get old.
The others chose their fate!!

I always offer my seat to young children (and all the other people who need it, obviously).

@Easterbunnyiswindowshopping

Elderly person.. They didn't choose to get old. The others chose their fate!!

Even if they’re fitter and more able to stand than the others? Pregnant woman with spd and crutches loses out to an elderly person?

@Moodycow78

Whichever one actually needs to sit down 🙄

Exactly this 👆

And if it’s busy and there’s a small child that could sit on their parent’s lap but they’re taking up a seat annoys me too.

@Aroundtheworldin80moves

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.

Fwiw I agree it goes elderly / pregnant / toddler but I wouldn’t say sitting down is just necessary because you’re tired when pregnant. I’m 31 weeks and currently sat on the tube in a priority seat… it’s not that I’m too tired to stand, but because it’s actually quite dangerous. When the tube jolts it’s quite easy to fall, and because my centre of gravity is off there’s a pretty strong chance I’d go arse over tit and wind up in A&E. It’s also packed and people jostle my bump without realising. Definitely not just tiredness! (I mean, I’m exhausted but that’s not why I’m in particular need of a seat )

I think it depends on what physical shape the elderly person is in.

If they were in bad shape then I would say elderly person, toddler, pregnant woman. If the elderly person is in good shape then toddle then either the elderly person or the pregnant woman.

Standing on the bus is very dangerous for toddlers, I'm surprised so many people have put toddler last..they have terrible balance, are so small they can get thrown around or stepped on by other passengers, tire easily and are prone to a sort of twisting fracture (actually called a toddler fracture) is they fall over on a moving surface.

Of course, some of these issues, e.g. frailty and lack of balance can affect the elderly but not all.

Pregnant women might be uncomfortable but I think generally would be fine to stand safely? I've been pregnant twice with massive babies and a have a heart condition. I also had hip problems in my last pregnancy, so I know it can be uncomfortable to stand on a bus while pregnant but I wouldn't think it was dangerous (I think if you are at a point where you can't stand up on a bus while pregnant then you should probably be on bed rest).

Standing on the bus is very dangerous for toddlers, I'm surprised so many people have put toddler last..t

Why is the toddler standing? Why can't they sit elsewhere?

[quote Hmum0fthree]@drawingpad Op hasn't given any information though,I have a family friend that is classed as elderly she can walk much further than I can at 33 weeks pregnant [/quote]
But if the elderly person is a stranger (so you dont know their fitness level) would you feel comfortable taking the priority seat at 33 weeks pregnant? I wouldn't. If I was with my very active elderly mil then I would but for a stranger I would say elderly is priority over pregnant. Hopefully if they were happy to stand they would offer it to you.

@drawingpad Sorry, I had assumed the other seats were full. Comprehension fail! If there are seats available then the elderly person gets the priority seat I guess.

Depends on the need. A frail elderly person is very different to q fit action cevine. Same for the pregant woman. The toddiers don't get a look in I'm afraid

It's not for me to decide who gets the priority seat.
But as a healthy, able-bodied adult, I will always happily give my non-priority seat to any vulnerable person left standing.
And try to encourage others to do the same (harder, but worth a try)

@Munchcrip

Any context?

As others said Elderly, pregnant & parent toddler. But I know my Nan would immediately give her seat up for a pregnant lady & then hard stare anyone in a nearby seat until they offered her theirs
Both my children would automatically stand up and offer their seats in this situation so all three would get a seat.

I wouldn't consider 65 as elderly
Nor me - I'm only five years off that. I can't even retire till I'm 67.

In any case, do people not give up ordinary seats any more as a courtesy to somebody who really needs to sit down when the priority seat is already taken?