Standing on Trains?

[Greenback]

Some times I prefer to stand, usually if I am only doing a short trip and it'a a faf to sit down only to get up again a few minutes later.

As we all know, there are plenty of people who put their bag or coat on to the seat next to them. Usually they do this on purpose, so I sometimes ask them first and ignore the empty single seats. No one has refused to elt me sit down yet, but if they did I might well ask them if they have bought another ticket for their stuff!

 

[STEVIEBOY1]

What i dont get it people who will stand, rather than ask someone to move thier feet/bag/case/wahtever form a seat. They stand looking on the other passernger with evil intent in thier eyes yet do nothing. Why?

I make a beeline for these inconsiderate peopel and get them to move thier stuff, I have done it even when there are lots of other empty seats just to make a point!

Yes I have done the same, just to irriate them.

 

[Hydro]

I'm a stander on short journeys myself. Sometimes I cart a couple of heavy bags with me and it's easier to chuck them out of the way in the vestibule and stand if I'm only on for a little while. Saves faffing with luggage racks.

As for sitting, if it's reasonably quiet I'll sit wherever I want or can. I will even put a bag on the seat next to me. However, if we pull into a reasonably busy station, or a lot of people move into the coach, I will move said bag before anyone asks and oblige those who require seats by moving if necessary.

If it's quiet then do what you wish (I've even sat in priority seats with a bag next to me! How rude!). Just be prepared to move everything if needed. Including yourself. It's just common courtesy.

 

[LE Greys]

I'm a stander on short journeys myself. Sometimes I cart a couple of heavy bags with me and it's easier to chuck them out of the way in the vestibule and stand if I'm only on for a little while. Saves faffing with luggage racks.

As for sitting, if it's reasonably quiet I'll sit wherever I want or can. I will even put a bag on the seat next to me. However, if we pull into a reasonably busy station, or a lot of people move into the coach, I will move said bag before anyone asks and oblige those who require seats by moving if necessary.

If it's quiet then do what you wish (I've even sat in priority seats with a bag next to me! How rude!). Just be prepared to move everything if needed. Including yourself. It's just common courtesy.

I've done that sometimes, found a convenient corner for my trunk and sat on it rather than mess around trying to find somewhere to put both it and myself. Occasionally, you find luggage racks with bags crammed in anyhow, and a bit of rearranging allows you to get more in (although best be careful whose bag you touch). The worst ones are some of the longer-range EC services, where luggage racks overflow into the vestibules. Then it's certainly best to stand, so you can keep an eye on your stuff out there and try to clear a path for the trolley - and have the window open at the same time.

On a quiet day, it's obviously best just to sit down normally, more comfortable for a start. However, when you can't see because you have no choice but to sit outside a tall person (or an inconsiderate git with a broadsheet newspaper who blocks the window) then standing can be quite an acceptable option.

 

[trainophile]

If I was sitting in a double seat and there were others free yet someone asked me to move my bag, I'd just move myself and my bag to one of the free sets. Simples.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Having commuted in Waterloo with my wife for many years i've grown to used to the fact that we will seldom get a seat but thats the price for working in London. However, when my wife was pregnant more often than not people gave up their seats for her which was always very much appreciated!

 

[Class172]

I often find myself sitting in the luggage rack on a HFD-BHM service between WOF-DTW. Only problem is that i have to force my way back down the corridor/isle back to the door vestibule - it's not like there's spare seats anywhere, there all taken.

Also, I use the neat trick of going in the 150/2 cab area on a LM 150/0 (not scud 1/2 of course) - it's always empty and I'm only standing for 10mins

 

[Flamingo]

It is - each vehicle has a % figure above seating capacity BEFORE the train is overcrowded. Much like buses have a sign saying 38 seated and 10 standing.

They shouldnt (!) run above that limit - but of course they do, as we all know.

Now where that information is held is another question.

Wrong, there is no maximum figure. It is at the train-crew's discretion.
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On the subject of standing, I will shift standers out of the 1st class vestibules on FGW HST's. There is always space at the front of the train, and there are usually people trying tio stand there even on quiet trains. They don't have to sit down, but they do have to move out of 1st!

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Were there discussions on a radio 4 programme some years ago, when the matter of standing on trains in a peak hour service was very likely due to the travel to-and-from work commercial timings was referred to?

The scenario was what would happen to the standing passengers in the event of a major collision of two such peak hour trains.

 

[Flamingo]

Were there discussions on a radio 4 programme some years ago, when the matter of standing on trains in a peak hour service was very likely due to the travel to-and-from work commercial timings was referred to?

The scenario was what would happen to the standing passengers in the event of a major collision of two such peak hour trains.

The more of them the better, as they would have something soft to bounce off (each other).

Nobody forces anybody onto a crowded train. Normally, peak time trains Pad-Rdg are full. After reading they are 1/3 full. Therefore, 1/3 of the passengers who get on are only going to the first stop, and have the option of waiting six minutes (average) for the next train to Reading. They chose not to.

Anybody going to/from Reading complaining that the train is crowded gets very short shrift from me.