Public transport etiquette question has Aussies stumped

"Am I the bad guy here?"

When it comes to public transport, there are lots of do’s and don’ts.

DO: take off your backpack in a packed carriage. DON’T: eat anything extra smelly, if you can avoid it. DO: move over to the middle seat if people are standing.

But, when it comes to accessible seating, what are the rules?

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Image: Reddit.

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“Am I the bad guy here?”

A Sydney man has taken to Reddit after having a peculiar interaction on the train.

The man said that he boarded the train around midday and sat in the entry-level compartment, rather than going up or down the stairs.

But, he was met with hostility from locals.

“Am I the bad guy here?” he said in the post.

“I had a red-eye flight last night and arrived in Sydney this morning. I took the train with my suitcase, backpack...etc. I was exhausted and that's not practical to carry suitcases up or down the stairs.

“Then, there was this old man who boarded my train and said I am not allowed to take this seat because they're for disabled. I immediately apologized and he walked to another carriage.”

But, after discussing the incident with his wife, he’s not sure he did anything wrong.

“Told my wife about this and she said I shouldn't have apologized as this area is for people in need, which in this situation, I am eligible since I have lots of belongings,” he said.

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“You did nothing wrong!”

Commenters on the post were quick to clarify that unless someone was more in need, he likely wasn’t doing anything wrong.

On Sydney trains, the red seat pictured in particular is a priority or courtesy seat. Whilst anyone can sit there, it’s made to be more accessible for those who need them, such as elderly passengers, people with disabilities, or those with young children.

While they’re not policed, if you’re sitting in one of them, it’s your responsibility to offer up your seat if you notice someone who may need it more, or move when asked.

The seats next to these red seats may also be reserved spaces for passengers with mobility devices, and the same rules apply.

“You're alright mate,” said one commenter.

“If needed, he could go to the other attached carriage through the door, and there's more than one person there seated too, so: they could also give up a seat.”

“It's not for disabled people at all, you did nothing wrong,” another agreed.

“Courtesy seat. You can sit there, but it’s expected you’ll vacate it for someone who needs it more,” said a third.

“I think it’s fair enough you took up that space”

Some even said that for those with suitcases, like the poster, it is expected that these seats be used.

“If anything I do expect people with large suitcases to take those seats rather than struggle up/down the stairs and then try to squeeze multiple luggage pieces between the alley or seat spaces,” one person said.

“I always sit on those seats near the entrance when I have a suitcase because it’s near impossible to fit in the actual aisles,” said another.

“That being said, I am mindful that if someone injured/pregnant/old gets on I give my seat to them, if not I have zero qualms about sitting there and you shouldn’t either (I would say that’s just public transport etiquette generally).”

“I think it’s fair enough you took up that space in this situation. It’s a real hassle to move around with luggage, you need that spot,” a third person agreed.

“He could have taken a spot at the other seats with priority for elderly, disabled, etc.”

Originally published as Public transport etiquette question has Aussies stumped