Auckland cyclist takes kip on early morning train, forces mother and baby to stand

The cyclist took up four seats on the packed train.
The cyclist took up four seats on the packed train. Photo credit: Stuart Dawson / Supplied

A cyclist having a lie down on the train has infuriated Auckland commuters after he refused to sit up while people stood around him. 

Stuart Dawson was on the early morning train from Onehunga to the CBD on Wednesday last week when he saw the cyclist relaxing across four seats. 

Dawson could see that multiple passengers had nowhere to sit, including a mother holding her baby and a pram. 

He tried to tell the cyclist to move, but got told to "f**k off". Dawson approached the Transdev train manager, the company which manages trains on the Auckland Transport lines. 

He explained the incident on his Facebook page, saying the train manager also tried asking the cyclist to move, but he refused, and told the train manager to "get f***ed". 

Dawson said the train manager told the cyclist that if didn't move, he would have to get off at the next stop. But the cyclist abused the manager again, and went back to sleep.

Dawson told Newshub the mother who was standing with her baby seemed uncomfortable around the cyclist. 

He believes the mother and baby may have been "put off" from catching the train after the incident, as he usually sees the pair daily but has not seen them since. 

Transdev said they are "satisified with how their handled the situation while following all the relevant policies and procedures."

"We are sorry that the customer’s unacceptable behaviour caused what would have been a highly unpleasant experience for all those around him," the company told Newshub.

"Safety and security on and around train services is taken extremely seriously."

Transdev said the introduction of transport officers were made two years ago to reduce fare evasion and anti-social behaviour. 

Dawson believes the service needs more security or staff members on board, to avoid passengers feeling intimidated. 

Dawson said he noticed a few more staff on his commute on Tuesday morning. 

"It looks like they may have put more staff on but it will be interesting to see how long it will last," Dawson said. 

Dawson told Newshub he laid a complaint with Transdev directly following the incident, and was told he can expect a response by November 20.

Transdev said they had not recieved Dawson's complaint, and said it had probably been received by Auckland Transport.

Newshub.