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Where have these signs in trams gone? 'They're missing in old and new ones alike'
๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ท Croatia /Culture & Society

Where have these signs in trams gone? 'They're missing in old and new ones alike'

From Veฤernji List · () Croatian

Translated from Croatian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Sources not specified Context piece
  • A Zagreb resident highlighted the disappearance of special markings for disabled seating in trams.
  • The lack of clear signage forces passengers with disabilities to confront others for seats.
  • The issue affects both older and newer tram models, with calls for better education and signage.

A Zagreb resident has raised concerns about the vanishing signage designating priority seating for individuals with disabilities on the city's trams. The user shared an experience on Reddit where they had to explicitly ask someone to vacate a disabled seat, only to find there was no visible sticker or label indicating its purpose.

Today I got on the number five tram. A man got on in front of me and sat in the disabled seat. I said, 'Excuse me, may I sit here?' He said, 'Just go find a seat somewhere else.' I said, 'But this is a seat for disabled people.'

โ€” Reddit userDescribing an incident where they had to assert their right to a disabled seat.

This lack of clear markings forces passengers with mobility issues, such as the user who uses a cane, to engage in potentially awkward confrontations to secure necessary seating. The user noted that this problem extends to both older Konฤar trams and newer models, suggesting a systemic issue with signage maintenance or initial placement.

They are not there in the German ones, nor in the new Konฤar ones. Not only should I not have to justify why I carry a cane and have the right to sit, but there are no inscriptions at all anymore.

โ€” Reddit userHighlighting the absence of signage on various tram models.

Other users on the platform corroborated the issue, with some recalling that these seats were traditionally reserved for people with disabilities and women with children. While some newer trams reportedly have signage near the front, others, particularly articulated sections, lack them entirely. One suggestion proposed printing and distributing new labels to fill the gaps.

It was always known that the seats right after entering the tram were for people with disabilities and women with children in strollers.

โ€” Reddit userRecalling the traditional understanding of priority seating.

The situation points to a broader need for improved public awareness and education regarding the use of priority seating. While some drivers have been praised for assisting passengers with disabilities, the absence of clear visual cues undermines efforts to ensure equitable access to public transport for all citizens.

Do a good deed, print those stickers and put them up where they are missing.

โ€” Reddit userSuggesting a practical solution to the signage problem.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Veฤernji List in Croatian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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