The train staff sees the baby traveling in the mother’s arms instead of in her seat and starts an argument

What started as a quiet morning train ride between Turin and Ventimiglia turned into an argument over how a three-year-old should sit.

A mother traveling on regional train 3159 says she bought two valid tickets, one for herself and one for her daughter. But because the girl was resting on her lap instead of sitting next to her, staff insisted that the second seat wasn’t being used properly... and then went and reassigned it to someone else. Seriously!

The story, first reported by La Stampa and picked up by Cadena SER and Corriere Torino, sparked outrage across Italian media. The mother says train personnel told her the seat would be considered available if her daughter wasn’t physically occupying it, and that they needed it for another passenger. Despite protesting, the woman says her daughter spent the rest of the trip in her arms while the paid-for seat was taken by someone else.

“Misunderstanding” over train seat

The woman’s partner, lawyer Andrea Cagliero, filed a formal complaint with Trenitalia, requesting a refund and explanation. Trenitalia responded quickly, calling the incident a “misunderstanding” caused by staff overreach. According to the company, the team had been trying to find room for a woman with mobility issues in a packed carriage, where many seats were cluttered with bags.

The company has since apologized to the mother and child, confirming that “the child had every right to sit on her mother’s lap or in the seat.” Another passenger eventually gave up their seat to resolve the issue.

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.