Woman Refuses Seat for Elderly Passenger on Train to Aberdeen, Sparks Debate

A woman sparked a travel debate online as she did not give up her train seat, a priority seat she had booked. People often give seats to elderly or pregnant people, but this woman kept her reserved seat.

She paid extra for a first-class ticket for a London to Aberdeen trip, though the train company was not named. She wanted to work without distractions, and the seat was marked ‘priority.’ A woman in her 60s wanted her seat, but the first woman refused to move.

She shared her story on Reddit, explaining that she took a seven-hour train trip and booked a first-class seat early. First-class seats can be costly, but she wanted space and comfort to work, so she booked a single seat specifically.

She boarded in London and sat down in the seat that was also a ‘priority seat.’ These seats are for those needing help due to age or mobility issues. Later, a woman around 60 demanded it, saying it was because she was elderly.

The seated passenger stood firm and told the woman to ask staff, pointing out the train was full. The seated passenger apologized but refused. A staff member then came to assist them. The older woman had a ticket, but she had not reserved a seat, so they offered to move her to standard while the first woman kept her seat.

The train guard tried to assist, clarifying that the woman booked a return ticket only and did not book a seat. He explained that lacking a seat reservation might mean standing and asked if either would move, offering to find a standard class seat. She refused again, explaining her need, and he took the other woman to standard class.

She felt bad about the situation but didn’t want discomfort because someone didn’t reserve. Online, opinions were very split. People debated the train company’s role with one saying the company was wrong to sell disability seats expensively and that only disabled people should buy them, concluding the train operator messed up, not her.

Another person made a strong point: If on a plane, you’d refuse. The same rule applies on trains too. Another person commented that the older thought she deserved it, but you paid and should not move.