Priority seat card

Can you give up your priority seat?

Did you know that all Southern trains have specially designated priority seats? Have you ever been asked to give your seat up for someone in more need of it than you? Have you voluntarily given up your seat as you recognised someone’s need for it? Or perhaps you have been in need of a priority seat that was occupied and were reluctant to ask for it to be given up.

Priority seats can be used by anyone, but they should be given up if they’re needed more by people with disabilities, expectant mothers, elderly passengers or those carrying infants. Someone’s need for a seat may not be obvious, for example they may have a hidden disability or be in the early stages of pregnancy, it takes courage to ask someone to give up their seat so when asked please allow someone to sit down.

Not everyone is comfortable with asking fellow passengers to give up a priority seat and explaining why this is necessary, so Southern has first trialed and following a successful trial have now launched a priority seat card which is designed to avoid any embarrassment in this situation. We have launched the scheme in response to the issue being raised at some of our meet the manager sessions, from feedback we’ve received at our Customer Services centre in Tonbridge, comments made directly to our Accessibility Manager and following supportive feedback during the trial. We have also enhanced the priority seating labels to make it easier to spot the priority seating onboard. Priority seating is usually located close to the exit doors for ease of use.

The new Priority Seating card is available upon application, and anyone who qualifies for a card can use it on any Southern service. You may be asked by a cardholder to give up your seat. Please be assured if you are asked to give up your priority seat, the person making the request using the card will have a genuine need, and we very much appreciate your cooperation.