A Reddit discussion has brought attention to the experiences of pregnant commuters trying to get seats on Singapore’s MRT during peak hours.
The original poster, who is pregnant, said she sometimes sat in reserved seats but noticed aunties standing nearby and appearing unhappy about it. This made her feel guilty about occupying the seat despite being pregnant.
Several commenters encouraged her not to feel guilty and to prioritize her own safety and comfort when travelling. One commenter advised pregnant commuters to simply ask for a seat if they need one. They said most people would give up their seat if asked politely, while others nearby might also offer a seat after hearing the request.
Another commenter said pregnant commuters should not worry about what strangers think of them, while another suggested rubbing their stomach as a way to indicate that they are pregnant.
Some Pregnant Commuters Still Struggle To Get Seats
Other Reddit users shared that visibly showing a pregnancy does not always mean someone will be offered a seat.
One commenter said that at six months pregnant, even while wearing a body-hugging dress, they still had to compete for non-priority seats.
Another user said they were eight to nine months pregnant but still sometimes could not get a seat. They added that they felt uncomfortable asking or expecting other passengers to give up their seats.
The commenter said they now travel with their two-month-old baby and still sometimes do not get a seat. They added that while they understood passengers were not obligated to give up their seats, they felt disappointed by the lack of consideration.
Several commenters also shared experiences of being unsure whether someone was pregnant or simply had a larger stomach. One user said they used to avoid offering seats because they could not always tell, while others joked that rubbing one’s stomach could make the situation clearer.
Some Redditors also shared stories of accidentally offering seats to women who were not pregnant, resulting in awkward encounters.
Commuters Recommend the “May I Have A Seat?” Pass
Several commenters recommended getting the yellow “May I Have A Seat?” pass available at MRT stations.
One user said pregnant commuters could obtain the pass from the control station passenger service counter. The original poster responded that they had the necessary documents and planned to get one.
The original poster later edited the post to say that two stations had run out of passes. Other Reddit users suggested trying different stations, with one specifically recommending stations along the blue line.
The original poster eventually updated the thread to say that they had successfully obtained the pass and thanked those who had provided advice.
Other commenters who had used the pass said it could make asking for a seat easier, although some noted that wearing the pass did not always guarantee that someone would offer a seat.
One recent mother said she used the yellow card during her daily commute while pregnant. She recommended showing the card to seated passengers and politely asking for a seat rather than assuming passengers would notice.
She said this approach worked for her and reminded pregnant commuters to thank those who gave up their seats.
Another commenter suggested approaching MRT staff for assistance if finding a seat becomes difficult. They recalled seeing station staff help a visually impaired passenger find a seat during peak hour.
Overall, the Reddit discussion included experiences from pregnant commuters, new parents, and other passengers, with many recommending that pregnant riders ask directly for a seat when they need one.
See the post here:
Pregnant ladies, are you able to get a seat on the MRT during peak hour?
byu/Heavy-Lobster2157 inaskSingapore
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