Everyone is entitled to a vacant priority seat

I agree with Ms Goh Chui Ling that the concept of priority seats in Singapore’s public transport has developed a culture of dishonouring people who sit on those seats (“Priority seats breed culture of dishonour”; April 23).

Are priority seats reserved only for people in the four categories indicated above the seat or is everyone entitled to it, as long as the able-bodied give up their seat when needed?

I had thought I was entitled to any available seat on the train because if an old person or pregnant lady were to enter the carriage, I would give up my seat, since they need it more than I do.

Whenever I sat on a priority seat, however, people standing around me would stare, making me feel as if I was doing something wrong.

In the past, I felt that people who would rather stand than sit on a vacant priority seat were silly, but I find myself now avoiding those seats.

I empathise with national servicemen I have seen carrying their heavy field bags and dozing off while standing in buses and trains. They train to defend our nation but are not entitled to sit even though they pay the same fare?

Should we fear being criticised online just because we need a seat on the train? Is this the country we are becoming — so cynical and critical of someone’s actions?