Is It Necessary To Give Up The Lower Shelf On The Train To Passengers From The Upper One, Including Pregnant Women And Children

2024 Author: Bailey Albertson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 12:53

To start up or not to start up: how to share the bottom bunk with train neighbors?

Long journeys tire passengers off the top bins. They also want to look out the window, eat in comfort, settle in comfort. However, passengers from the lower shelves sometimes refuse to let them into their seats. Russian Railways has long given an official explanation as to whether it is necessary to let train passengers from the upper shelf to the lower one.

Is it necessary to give way to the lower shelf in the train to passengers from the upper

From a legal point of view, no one should let anyone into their seat on the train. There are transportation rules, enshrined in the Order of the Ministry of Transport of December 19, 2013 No. 473.

Clause 51 of this document states that each person has the right to occupy only the seat for which a ticket was purchased from him. He can take another seat only with the permission of the person who bought the ticket for him. Moreover, at any time from this place he may be asked to retire legally.

There are no privileges in this Order for the elderly, children and pregnant women. Russian Railways explains that this is not discrimination, because a person knows in advance what place he will take on the train. Even if the person above is extremely uncomfortable in his seat, he cannot force other passengers to move.

How to share the bottom bunk with passengers from the top

If you need to take the bottom bunk, you can politely ask another passenger about it. The neighbors in the carriage are likely to make concessions if another person needs to take food, and will let him in his place. But at any time, they can legally ask him to leave, since they purchased a ticket indicating a specific seat on the train.

If the passenger from the lower bunk does not want to let the others sit down at the table, they have no right to demand him to give up his seat. At the same time, passengers from the upper shelf can still use the table, but while standing.

In the event of a conflict situation, the conductor cannot force anyone to leave their place, because it was paid for. The conductor is obliged to listen to all the wishes of passengers and to ensure the comfort of their trip, but he cannot violate the rights of some for the sake of others.

If stubborn neighbors are caught, he will find a place where he can comfortably eat or just sit. But only if it turns out to be free. Otherwise, those wishing to dine will be offered to go to the dining car.

Baggage transportation rules are less strict: you can store your belongings in any compartment. But according to clause 112 of the Order of the Ministry of Transport, passengers who occupy space on the upper shelf have the priority right to carry baggage in the upper compartment. The situation is similar with the lower compartment.

Thus, it is solely the desire of the passenger from the bottom shelf that determines the comfort of his neighbors on top. Therefore, it is advisable to buy tickets in advance for convenient seats. Especially when it comes to the elderly or children. There are no upper bins at all in CB-cars, if funds allow, it is advisable to purchase seats in them.