‘Give up your seat for mums-to-be’
COMMUTERS are being urged to give up their seats to pregnant women as part of a new campaign.
The ‘Baby on Board’ badge campaign is being rolled out across the country by all public transport operators by the National Transport Authority as a way to discreetly urge commuters to offer their seats to expectant mothers.
Expectant mothers will receive the badges at their first scheduled antenatal appointment at a number of maternity hospital.
Wearing a badge serves to offer expectant women a discreet and universal means of communicating that they may be in greater need of a seat during their commute.
The launch comes on the back of a successful pilot programme undertaken on certain Iarnród Éireann services.
Anne Graham, CEO of the NTA, said commuting can pose problems for pregnant women and hopes the campaign can make it a little bit easier.
‘With the increase in the number of passengers availing of public transport, travelling by bus, rail or tram can prove a very real challenge for mums-to-be,’ she said.
‘We encourage passengers to be mindful of each other and support those who may have extra requirements when travelling. Having a Baby on Board badge will make it a lot easier for expectant mothers by letting other passengers know that you have a very good reason to need a seat.
‘It also makes the situation clearer for fellow passengers by removing any confusion. We hope the public will get on board and voluntarily participate in this campaign.
Expectant mothers at 17 of the 20 maternity hospitals nationwide will receive a badge within the Pregnancy Information Pack collected at their first scheduled hospital appointment. Others can collect the free badge at public transport hubs nationwide.