El Paso City Council passes $500 fine for those who won't give up bus seat for disabled or elderly person

From ABC-7 in El Paso, Texas:

EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso City Council suddenly found itself in the position of reminding Sun City bus riders to have good manners...or else.

From now on, if you're riding a Sun Metro bus and you refuse to give up a seat in the priority seating area for an elderly or disabled rider, you are now subject to a $500 fine.

"I was taught to get up, sir, and that's the bottom line," one bus rider told ABC-7.

But many others, apparently, weren't taught to give up their seat for those who need it most.

"Some have been informed, either by drivers or word of mouth, they know they don't have to get up," said East El Pasoan Lori Vugteveen, who is disabled and rides the bus every day.

Vugteveen said twice already this month she's been forced to wait for the next bus, because people won't get up and move.

"It makes me feel like they consider me an inconvenience to have to move," she said. "Moving back two seats is not going to cost you anything, but if you decide to stay -- got $500 spare -- then go for it!"

Many El Pasoans were shocked that City Council had to resort to creating an ordinance just to get some to give up their bus seat to the elderly or disabled.

"In this day and age, a lot of people have that dog eat dog world mentality," another bus rider said. "I think it's your upbringing to tell you the truth."

Sun Metro is giving its bus drivers additional sensitivity training to deal with the situation.

"I think El Pasoans need more sensitivity training, because, like I said, any able person who would not vacate the seat, shame on them!" said Jane Shang, Deputy City Manager for Mobility Services.

Councilman Beto O'Rourke had some choice words for those not willing to move.

"You're an idiot and no amount of signage or warnings or education are going to help," O'Rourke said.

Here's how it works: First, the bus driver will ask you to get up. If you don't, he'll call police and when they arrive they will issue you a ticket for a Class C misdemeanor and that $500 fine.