Its been a while since I last made an entry here. The reason- I'm pregnant and have been busier than usual. Time seems to pass really quickly as there are now extra chores to be done- getting the baby room ready, making sure the flat is baby-safe, doctor's appointments, etc. All of this means the need to be able to get to different places efficiently is greater than ever. Although I am usually an advocate for the use of public transport in the city, the last few months have seen me shift more in favour of the car.
I still commute to work on the tube as it is the most convenient way to get into central London on a weekday. However, I am yet to be offered a seat. It may be that I am not showing particularly but I have seen a number of obviously pregnant women on the trains and they were not offered seats either. Although I don't feel in need of a seat at the moment, there may come a time, as the pregnancy progresses, when this may become necessary and the question is whether to ask people to give up their seats? Some pregnancy books mention that pregnant women should consider wearing 'Baby on board' pin badges to subtly encourage people to give up their seats. I find the idea rather off-putting; I may want a seat but not necessarily call attention to myself using a pin badge everywhere I go. I also find these signs on cars irritating: so other drivers should be more careful driving near a car with a sign like that, as opposed to being generally careful while driving? A bump should be enough of a sign to encourage people to offer their seat, especially those in dedicated priority seats; would people notice a pin badge if they don't notice the bump? As a rule, before my pregnancy, I tried to avoid sitting on prioity seats unless there are no other seats available. When I did use a priority seat I made a point of always looking up at each stop to check if anyone may need it so that they wouldn't have to ask. Most people are so busy with their music and reading material they don't bother to look at the people around them. They should but they don't; this is symptomatic of the increasing tendency for people to close themselves off to other people, insulating themselves with headphones, books, tablet PCs, etc.
Dealing with delays, broken down trains, out of service stations, etc also become more problematic. Being in my own car means not having to deal with these stresses and makes travel more comfortable.
I am now two months from giving birth and to date I have been offered seats three times only. I probably do notice my bump more than others since I live with it every day but most people I meet through work cannot help but notice it as well so bump is quite obvious. As I mentioned in my post, I think people are too busy with all the paraphernalia they have with them on their journey to pay much attention to the people around them. I have resolutely stuck with my dislike for the 'Baby on board' coat pin and have tried to stagger my travel times, avoiding the worst of the rush hours instead. I am fortunate in that this is possible- as an academic, I am pretty much my own boss and my diary is mostly under my own control. So if you are travelling on public transport and intend to use priority seats, please look up occasionally to check if someone does need them.
ReplyDeletePerhaps TfL could have a priority carriage(s), like the quiet carriage(s) on trains, rather than priority seats. This way people who need priority seats know they have dedicated seats on a specified carriage(s). Also people who board these carriages are forced to be aware that people who need to be seated may need the seats- as opposed to the excuse of not knowing they are in a priority seat- and it would make it easier for station staff to spot people who do not give up their priority seats to people who need them. A lot of London underground stations are not particularly friendly to people with special needs. It is difficult to change infrastructure- e.g. lift installation can be disruptive and such changes may need to be gradual- but a designated carriage(s) is relatively easy thing to achieve and could improve passenger experience no end.
See this:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/archive/7679.aspx
An interesting discussion on the subject shortly after the introduction of the signs:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.davidairey.com/london-underground-priority-seat-signs/