To think there is no point in having priority seats on the tube/bus

[Gangle]

As people sit themselves down there and never even look up to clock if someone else needs the seat more than they do. I try to avoid sitting in those seats (the designated ones on the tube and the front section of the bus) so that they are left free for elderly/disabled/heavily pregnant people but it amazes me how many able bodied young people sit themselves down, get out their newspaper and don't look up. Several times in the last week I have given up my seat on the bus to an elderly person because noone else has bothered - I am 5 months pregnant and generally don't mind standing (I never get offered a seat anyway) but getting sick and tired of getting shoved around and elbowed in the stomach and would be nice if someone else showed some consideration! Rant over.

that's the big city for you, no-one wants to interact, so they just sit down and ignore everyone else.

i think having the priority signs up there makes it easier for people to ask, if they feel they need to ask for the seat so yabu

tbh,need a seat on transport.ask!dont wait no fucker will offer to pg or those in need as they have selective blindness

cant see pg/those in need
can see dropped money

how do you know they are able bodied though, just becaust they may look that way?

For instance, I have an injury to my leg which means i cannot stand easily for any length of time at all, let alone on a moving train or bus. Yet from the outside I probably don't look 'disabled'.

If you need a seat, ask someone. I have found there is always someone nice enough to stand if you say you need it.

being pg doesn't equate to mute,if you need seat ask.speak up

Yes, you don't have to address anyone in particular.

"Sorry, but would someone mind, I'm PG, and need to sit down."

Someone will stand up.

My mate demands others stand up when she can't 'Excuse me but this person needs a seat, i have a baby on my knee, but would you mind standing' all in a big loud voice.

I have just started using the tube, and the one time I offered to give up my seat the woman seemed rather offended that I thought she might need/want it.

I do always check who gets on at each stop whether or not I am in priority seats

But then I am from up north so much more considerate

I sometimes wonder whether I am living in some sort of parallel universe to many Mumsnetters. People always stand up for others on the buses I am on.

Just yesterday I said to DH I am going to have to start accepting people's seats when they offer, because they look a bit sad when I say no. 4 buses on 3 I was standing and on all 3 I had multiple offers of seats (obviously pregnant and with a wrist strapped because of carpal tunnel).

I am physically disabled and really do need those priority seats. To look at me though, I'm a twentysomething woman on her way to work. Many people fail to see that the two - careerwoman and disabled - can go together. When sitting down, my disability is not apparent. Frequently I am told by a shrieking elderly person - who is at the time managing to walk on the moving bus, which I cannot do - to move out of the seat. I explain my disability and am called a liar or a cheat. I have now taken to simply flashing my disability bus pass at them.

I feel bad when another disabled person/elderly in need/pregnant woman comes on the bus. It isn't obviously that I can't give up my seat and I always want to apologize for needing it more.

The other day as I got to the bus someone gave me a valid ticket, another person offered to hold dd and help me with bags when i had to fold the buggy and then she helped me off at the other end. I think there is a big difference between living in a city and travelling at rush hour and living in the provinces travelling outside of rush hour. Round here buses never get as busy as they do in London. Though having said that I have had people offer me a seat on a commuter train in rush hour when travelling with dd in a buggy.

Morloth where do you live? Are you particularly fragile looking?!

SW (Central) London busybutterfly and no, definitely not fragile looking, am strapping 5'7" weightlifter!

Wow Morloth thought you were going to say Devon or Yorkshire or somewhere miles away!

I agree with Morloth. I find people on public transport to be polite and friendly, and that people do usually leave the priority seats vacant.

You are all definitely living in a parallel universe to me, confirmed by my journey to work this am where several people on the tube stared directly at my bump then went on reading the paper. Suggest some of you try the Victoria then the Northern line to Bank at around 8.45 and let me know how you get on. I am quite shy and hate having to ask, would rather stand there and suffer than attract all that attention, especially as you risk someone saying no. Why are people so inconsiderate? I always check when people get on to see if they need the seat more than me and offer before they have to ask - did this the other day when noone else in the priority seats on the bus (of which there are about 8) stood up to offer and elderly man a seat. I find it really unbelievable. Maybe I am too considerate and should just sit myself down and say screw you all.