Pregnant woman 'refused' Manchester Metrolink tram seat

A pregnant woman who says she was left standing on Manchester's Metrolink when passengers refused to give up seats has complained that staff failed to help.

Meenakshi Minnis' baby is due in three weeks and a pregnancy-related pelvic condition means she is in pain and unable to stand for long.

She claims she asked eight people for their seat after getting on the tram in the city centre, without success.

Metrolink said staff cannot force passengers to move.

Ms Minnis, 31, of Timperley, said: "I asked eight people that were there if someone would give up their seat and they all just looked at me and didn't.

Dangerous journey

"Then I pleaded with the Metrolink staff saying can you get somebody to stand up and he didn't do anything either."

She said having to stand for the journey was dangerous for herself and her baby, and she has spoken out so people might be more considerate to fellow passengers.

Ms Minnis has made a formal complaint to Metrolink officials.

Susan Wildman, of Transport for Greater Manchester, apologised and said: "We do designate some seats as priority seats and we do ask passengers to be aware of other passengers who are getting on the tram, and to be aware that if they are in a priority seat they should give that up for someone in greater need, clearly as this lady was."