Fat people told not to sit on train seats

[Jazzy]

Fat people told not to sit on train seats to save space

We’re used to hearing some fairly mundane announcements at train stations. But every now and then there will be one that makes us think ‘did I actually hear that?’.

That’s what happened on a train in Basingstoke, Hampshire, when a member of railway staff is alleged to have said: ‘We are going to be like sardines on this train, so can I ask that only slim people sit on the three seaters. If you are fat then it is simply not going to work.’

One commuter said: ‘I am not necessarily a big person, but most people are larger than those seats anyway.

‘It’s pretty disgusting.

‘I would get fired if I said that at my work.’

South West Trains spokesperson said: ‘We run some of the busiest trains in the country and we do appreciate that space on some of our trains is limited.

‘To provide extra space and seats for our customers, we are in the process of investing £250m in extra carriages and new trains.’

Thoughts?

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

How about 2 people per each 3 seater?

 

[Duskpire]

I think they're bitching about a whole lot of nothing.

 

[Jazzy]

I think it should be whoever gets on the train first, no matter what their size, has a right to sit.

 

[seasidemike]

It is a logical solution to a problem of space.

 

[Shortie]

I agree, if you are first on a train and you are wanting to sit down no matter what your size you should be able to sit down and not feel guilty for doing so. I think it's disgraceful that people will say things like this and nine times out of ten they get away with it also which is a crying shame.

 

[Evil Eye]

Best solution, clearly.

Some of the trains here have two fold down chairs opposite a narrowing of the train. The seat closest to the side basically has no legroom. Together they provide space for roughly 1.5 people.