A woman has sparked widespread debate after refusing to give up her pre-booked first-class priority seat to an older passenger on a packed London to Aberdeen train service.
The passenger had specifically reserved and paid extra for a first-class seat to ensure a comfortable workspace during her journey - which was also a priority seat.
When confronted by a woman in her sixties who demanded the priority seat, the ticket holder stood firm on her right to keep her reserved spot earlier this month.
"I knew I'd have work to do on the train, so I wanted to make sure I had space/comfort to be able to work," she explained in her social media post.
The passenger specifically chose one of the "individual seats" to avoid sitting next to or opposite other passengers while she was working (Stock)
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She also specifically chose one of the "individual seats" to avoid sitting next to or opposite other passengers while she was working.
The seat in question was designated as a priority spot, typically reserved for passengers with mobility issues due to age or disability.
"First-class seats on trains in the UK can be expensive, but I decided to treat myself," the woman noted, explaining that she had deliberately booked well ahead to secure the specific seating arrangement she needed for her work commitments.
The confrontation began when the elderly passenger approached, pointing to the priority seat sign.
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"A woman got on after me who was around 60 years old and pointed at the sign above my head and, quite rudely, told me to move because she was elderly," the passenger recounted.
Despite the train being full, the seat holder maintained her position, suggesting the woman in her 60s speak with staff.
A train guard eventually intervened to mediate the situation.
It emerged that while the elderly passenger had a return ticket, she had not made a specific seat reservation.
While the train staff member attempted to resolve the dispute by offering to find either passenger a seat in standard class, the woman said: "I again refused, explaining I'd booked the seat well in advance and that I needed it."
The situation concluded with the guard escorting the elderly woman to standard class to find alternative seating (Stock)
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The situation concluded with the staff member escorting the older woman to standard class to find alternative seating.
One online user placed blame on the train operator, commenting: "The train company are the a**holes here. They sold the disability seats as the most expensive seats on the train. Those seats should never be sold unless the occupier is disabled."
Another user compared the situation with air travel, saying: "If it was a first-class seat on a plane and someone asked you to move to economy, you'd tell them to f**k right off. Same applies here."
"The woman was for thinking she was entitled to your reserved seat though. Elderly or not, you paid in advance and shouldn't have to move just because she showed up," added another supporter.
The passenger reflected: "I felt bad, but I also don't think I needed to put myself in severe discomfort because someone else didn't think ahead and reserve a seat."
