OCTranspo Community

First let me explain two concepts.

1- The morning regulars

There are about 3 people other than me who regularly take the bus from the same spot at the same time in the morning.  I have a speaking relationship with 2 of them and the third just nods when people say hi.  There is an unspoken agreement that whoever gets there first gets on the bus first and people follow in the order they arrived.  To me, this makes sense and is fair.

2- Priority seating on the bus

There are about 8 seats at the front of every bus that are designated as priority seating. There is a pictogram above them indicating who gets priority;

• people with small children
• people with issues that prevent them from standing (injury, cane, epilepsy etc)
• pregnant women
• visually impaired people

Ok so this is where I just wonder about people.  I'm OBVIOUSLY pregnant.  There is no question.  I got to the bus stop last today and got on last.  I could see when the bus pulled up that there was 1 priority seat left.  People take them when other seats are full, as can be expected from routes where few riders actually need the priority seating.  The regular who just nods gets on first and takes the last seat.  She can't possibly NOT know I'm pregnant.  Also, I've taken the bus with her enough to know she's perfectly capable of standing.

I get on last and say to everyone in the priority seats "Can I have a seat please?" and this lady fake-stands for a second until someone else offers up their seat.

I just don't understand how you can make eye contact with a pregnant woman, then moments later get on the bus and see that there is one seat left, specifically intended for pregnant women, and then take it!