My seat, MINE!

[Akasa]

Yet again someone tried to take my bus seat away from me. Instead of going for the middle aged guy, the mom with her kid, or the teenager... they come at me and try to make ME move.
I gave them a death glare and told them I wasn't moving and they couldn't make me. Try someone else.
They tried to get indignant. "I'm a senior citizen!"
"I'm disabled. That trumps you being old. Kick someone else out of their seat. I'm NOT MOVING!"
They then went for the teenager, which they should have done in the first place.

[Fish Taco64]

Even if you weren't disabled, it should still be first come, first served. While it might be nice to give up your seat for an elderly person, you were there first and have no obligation to do so.

[Lyse]

I think that the seats mentioned are the ones that specify preference for disabled and elderly passengers. Every bus or light rail I've every been one have at least one section of these and have signs that mention you are to give them up if needed.

[Syriilord]

We have similar seating on our buses here. The signs specifically use the phrase "if an eldery or disabled person needs it." (Bolding mine for emphasis)

When sitting on one of these seats, I keep expecting someone to demand that I move because they 'neeeeed it' somehow more than the 7 or 8 empty seats immediately around the one I'm in, including the three empty ones they passed to get to me. It hasn't happened yet, but still

For the record, I have no problem surrendering my seat to someone who is genuinely in need of it, but I have a bad knee. If you expect me to get up just because I'm in my 20's and you're in your early to mid 40's, forget about it. Especially if you're in better physical condition than me

[dragon_wings]

^^ what Syriilord said.

There were days when I rode a specific bus that I dreaded the ride home. At 23/24 I have bad knees and standing 8 hours a day do not help already angry knees. And this particular bus route was insanely busy after an opening shift. I would routinely have to sit in those front seat and constantly worry if I'd be asked to get up. Riding that bus standing would have been miserable.

[customersruinmylife]

I could write a thread every single day about my experiences on the bus. I choose not to because I'm pretty sure you guys would get sick of me!

I have a policy that if the person searching for a seat is extremelly old or disabled, then sure, they can have my seat. If they are fit and able to stand, they do not get it. I don't care if they have a bus pass. Old people where I live get free bus pass. I have to pay £30 a week for the bus, so if I get a seat, I am not giving it up! I'll never forget the guy that tried to grab my arm and pull me up

I used to always offer my seat to anyone older than me, but being a good samaritan has bitten me in the ass so many times that I no longer care.

[Lyse]

Oh yeah, I am familiar with that reaction. Look, EW - until you have seen my X-rays and MRIs, shut the heck up. My good days far outnumber my bad days (knock on wood), but when I'm having a bad day then I need the damn seat.

[Engmfj]

I keep expecting someone to demand that I move because they 'neeeeed it' somehow more than the 7 or 8 empty seats immediately around the one I'm in, including the three empty ones they passed to get to me. It hasn't happened yet, but still

That has actually happened a to me a number of times - 75% of all the other seats in the bus are free, but Little Old Woman still wants (and demands) the one that's occupied ..

I have problems with my foot and my shoulder, and so I prefer to sit, if I can, so I won't bump my shoulder into something. Or rather get smashed into something, people are seriously rude when it comes to getting into a bus - they'll just keep piling in, even though it's clear that there isn't enough room, and then just crush those who are where already there. Have been smashed, knocked over, kicked and hit with elbows, bags etc. - and that's just the last 5 days ..

But even though noone bothered to get up when I was on crutches and had a huge brace (Don Joy) on my foot and lower leg after breaking it in three places and going through surgery, I'll still always get up whenever and elderly person or someone who clearly can't stand during the ride. But some young egocentric jerk will always just slip into the seat right in front of the person, I got up for

[cindybubbles]

This is why I try to sit in the back. I never know who's going to force me out of my seat, or who's going to go crazy if I decide to offer it up to them.

[judecat]

The seats on our buses are reserved for people on disability or social security -- disabled and elderly people have a card to show to get reduced fare, and the bus driver is responsible for making sure they get a seat. If you don't give up your seat voluntarily the driver can make you do so, or the bus doesn't move. Also, the center facing bench seats are on hinges to allow for wheelchairs -- if one person in a wheelchair gets on, the entire bench needs to be flipped up to accomodate the wheelchair.

I'm not quiet elderly and not quiet disabled, so I don't get to keep the seat just because my feet hurt, or my knees are killing me. And I even walk with a cane -- but if I am physically able to work 8 hours a day on my feet, then I can certainly stand or move to another seat if necessary.

[Akasa]

The seats on our buses are reserved for people on disability or social security -- disabled and elderly people have a card to show to get reduced fare, and the bus driver is responsible for making sure they get a seat. If you don't give up your seat voluntarily the driver can make you do so, or the bus doesn't move. Also, the center facing bench seats are on hinges to allow for wheelchairs -- if one person in a wheelchair gets on, the entire bench needs to be flipped up to accomodate the wheelchair.

That's how our buses are too.