passengers who stand when there are seats available

[TUC]

Amidst the regular comments about trains that are overcrowded I am struck by the number of times I see the opposite phenonemon-passengers who choose to stand when there are seats available.

What is most frustrating us that they often choose to stand in the doorway, giving the impression to other passengers that there are no seats available, unless you squeeze your way past them to check.

I can see why when someone is only undertaking a short journey some might choose to stand ( although I'd always prefer a seat) but I see this happening with passengers on journies of half an hour or more.

I can equally see that a small number of passengers may wish to stand because health issues make it difficult for them to sit, but not in the numbers I see standing. Why would most people choose to stand when there is a seat available?

 

[ert47]

For me, its a mix of short journey and standing near the door because I need to make my next connection/running late(-ish) for work/other people are "slow".

Pretty much boils down to impatience. :3

 

[greatkingrat]

It depends on what seats are available. Personally I would rather stand than try and squeeze into the middle seat on 3+2 trains.

 

[Silv1983]

I think a lot of the time it's because we're British. Too frightened to say 'excuse me can I sit there please?'. Or in the case of pacers it's too 'cosy' and personal space is invaded when utilising every seat that exists on paper.

 

[chuckles1066]

Pretty much boils down to impatience. :3

Or circumstances.

Services to/from Bristol to Patchway are 1 per hour.

If the service from London Paddington rolls into Bath Spa several minutes late (as it frequently did when I used the railways) then it meant that getting the connection to Patchway at Bristol Temple Meads was tight, to say the least.

You needed to be out of that door and down the stairs like a fox down a rabbit hole to make it......otherwise, you got to stand around for an hour on a cold platform.

Hence, you stand and at least give yourself the best chance that you can.

 

[LWB]

It depends on what seats are available. Personally I would rather stand than try and squeeze into the middle seat on 3+2 trains.

Agreed, especially if
(a) you are a well built 6' 4" and
(b) it's one of those dreadful 'airline' (pah) seats with no window.

I would far rather stand for two hours than travel in a cage.

 

[Sleepy]

Close to toilet if they feel unwell ?
Mainly seen on 8 cars - front 4 wedged while trailing unit has lots of empty seats ! Must be through barriers within 30 seconds of arriving in London syndrome

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I've done it on occasion when I've not had much sleep to ensure I don't fall asleep and miss my stop

 

[Michael.Y]

Don't forget the barflies on HSTs.

 

[big_dirt]

As an able-bodied adult male, I see myself as least deserving of a seat. If I think all seats will be later occupied, I'll stand to save myself from giving up my seat later.

 

[Mojo]

I'll often stand by the window at the end of the cars on Underground trains when it's hot. Also sometimes if I'm in uniform and know the train will get busy later in the journey I might stand the whole way.

 

[bronzeonion]

Sometimes I'll decide to stand on trains because i've been sitting down for most of my time and it's not good to be sat down all the time.

Other times, it's on a 3+2 train where I wont even bother if either side of a bay of 6 is taken.

 

[Muzer]

I've only ever done this when going one stop on a local with a high stop density (eg Southampton Airport (Parkway) to Swaythling). Any more than this, I usually sit down if possible.

 

[northwichcat]

Sometimes people (in particular teenagers) seem to want to stay together as a group standing rather than spreading themselves around the train seated.

On other occasions the train may have had all seats occupied but some people who were standing don't bother to go and sit down when seats become vacant because they're getting off soon.

 

[Bald Rick]

We're all on priv passes and keeping seats free for fare paying customers.

 

[tony6499]

I am disabled and find it easier to stand at times , not all disabled people need to sit

 

[Cheshire Rover]

As I'm 6ft 3in and of stout stature I will not sit on a row of three seats. They are just too narrow. I would rather stand.
Apart from that I will search for seat on any 2+2 coach.

 

[alex17595]

I'm just antisocial

 

[Sleepy]

We're all on priv passes and keeping seats free for fare paying customers.

Of course

 

[ChiefPlanner]

Of course

As per instructions , unless of course , a priv pass holder is "retired"

 

[Peter Mugridge]

If I can't get a forward facing window seat ( ideally an airline one ) then I'll often stand.

 

[PHILIPE]

I once boarded an FGW HST at Bristol Parkway and on opening the door a lad who had been sittong in the vestibule propped up against the door fell out (none the worse for it though) There were plenty of seats available at the time. What is worse than standing is young people like the clown I have just referred to who sit on the floor in the vestibules even though seats available.

 

[Rich McLean]

On a Voyager on Sunday, was only going one stop (Banbury - Oxford), but there were no seats, so ended up sitting on the floor in the vestibule. If there are seats though, I will sit in them

 

[VauxhallandI]

I'm 6'7" so sitting in the middle is impossible and sometimes sitting opposite is impossible too

 

[Squaddie]

Why should anyone have to justify their decision to stand rather than sit on a train?

 

[Rapidash]

I once boarded an FGW HST at Bristol Parkway and on opening the door a lad who had been sittong in the vestibule propped up against the door fell out (none the worse for it though) There were plenty of seats available at the time. What is worse than standing is young people like the clown I have just referred to who sit on the floor in the vestibules even though seats available.

I think some may do that as a means to avoid the dreaded paying-for-ticket scenario. If they see the a ticket-machine wielding eager person wandering up the carriage, they tend to sneak into the looe whilst they pass by.

 

[Bald Rick]

As per instructions , unless of course , a priv pass holder is "retired"

I'll happily relinquish my seat next time I see you on the 0738!

 

[8J]

I cant rember the last time I sat on a Merseyrail train. I stand usually because of the heat - the windows allow a nice breeze in the summer and in the winter, the heating vents are by thr doors and also prolonged periods of sitting will ruin your posture in no time.

 

[PR1Berske]

I think a lot of the time it's because we're British. Too frightened to say 'excuse me can I sit there please?'. Or in the case of pacers it's too 'cosy' and personal space is invaded when utilising every seat that exists on paper.

This a hundred times. I do it, I've seen others do it (men and women looking at the carriage, seeing one or two seats available but next to someone who looks comfy, look away again).

Standing when there's seats is not the greatest crime against nature, and in any case, if it's down to British character trait, I'd rather it kept than solved.

 

[Starmill]

I often stand for a few reasons, sometimes for a few minutes because I'm bored or I've been sat down for too long or want to have a look at the next station. Alternatively it might be down to the view. In a pacer for example the view is much better from standing that sitting. Similar story in other classes. I spend around half the time on Metrolink stood up too, because the view is so much better! If I can't get the seat at the front, I'll stand near the front on the DLR also.