- A Victorian dad holding his newborn was left standing during a busy tram commute headed to Melbourne’s Midsumma Festival.
Duncan McRae boarded the full Melbourne tram with his newborn baby, Bella, to attend last weekend’s cultural festival. He had hoped that fellow passengers would offer him a seat, as it is customary for parents and pregnant women to be given priority on public transport.
However, none of the tram passengers on board gave the new dad their seat, preferring to look out the window or scroll their phones instead.
Dad holding his newborn during tram commute sparks debate
The 20-minute ordeal forced McRae to post a video of his tram journey to his TikTok account. The posted video immediately went viral, receiving over one million views.
McRae voiced his disappointment in the caption, which read:
“Melbourne, I am shocked! And on a day where we’re literally celebrating inclusivity.”
Lack of courtesy hits hard
Many sympathised with McRae, saying there is a lack of courtesy on public transport these days, adding that it would have been dangerous if he fell.
One comment mentioned:
“No you don’t HAVE to give up your seat, but it would be kind. Imagine being kind?? Why is it such a bad thing these days.”
Another commenter said:
“Back in the day, the driver would stop the bus and demand someone get up if no one offered.”
Do dads have a right to sit on public transport?
Other commenters believed he should have asked if he could have a seat if he needed one.
“I would have offered my seat, but I think rightly or wrongly I wouldn’t do it maybe quite as quick ‘cause you’re a young man with just 1 and seem like you’re not wanting to sit.”
And another read:
“First sentence on each sign on public transport: Upon request. All you had to do was ask.”
It was also mentioned that maybe people didn’t even notice him and his daughter.
“People are minding their own business in their own mind, head, phones and world. They probably didn’t even notice the baby.”
And another read:
“Sometimes people don’t see why other people need a seat. I have a really bad back; you would never know, though, by looking at me…”
McRae followed up his initial post with a video explaining why he decided to post the video. He said:
“This isn’t about a seat or who deserves it more. I can stand up, no problem. It’s about a moment on a crowded tram when I was holding my baby. It’s not for a seat, not for the views. It’s because that’s what parents do…”
“… not one person offered for me to sit and they saw me. I could have asked, yeah sure I could have, but it’s about the gesture, the thoughtfulness. It’s about looking out for each other. Especially when it’s clear that someone could actually use a hand or in this case, a seat.”
McRae ended up receiving a seat after a passenger left the bus, but not without saying, “Get stuffed,” to another passenger eyeing off the same spot.
So, what do you think? Did the new dad have a right to a seat on the busy tram? Let us know in the comments!
Did you know? It’s not only dads with babies who are left standing on public transport. A young, breastfeeding mother in the UK had to stand and feed her wriggling, six-month-old baby for half an hour while commuting on a train.
