The days where young people need to give up their seats to their elders on Wellington trains and buses are numbered. (File photo)

They might be your elders, but soon they won't be getting any special treatment.

It's going to be manners, not rules that Wellington commuters will have to rely on when changes to the city's public transport kick in over the next few months.

Students and children will no longer have to give up their bus and train seats to adults under new rules that level the playing field when it comes to who gets to sit on their trip.

Human rights concerns from customers were one of the reasons for the change, Metlink spokesman Paul Kos said.

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Trains have already abandoned the rule and the region's buses progressively will follow suit by mid July.

"In practice, we feel that customers look after each other quite well, and those who need seating more than others are likely to be supported by other customers without the need for direct intervention from bus drivers or train staff," Kos said.

"For example, we would not expect SuperGold card customers [travelling for free] to give up their seats during the off-peak period for full fare paying customers."

Currently, anyone travelling on a child's fare - children under 15, as well as 16 to 19 year olds in full-time secondary education - must stand if an adult wants a seat.

STUFF Capital commuters will now be treated the same, regardless of what their fare cost. (File photo)

Wairarapa buses have already dropped the rule, with Hutt City joining them from June 30 and all other buses from the end of July.

On Friday, adult opinion was divided on the change - while some people claimed it as a victory for equal rights, others weren't impressed.

Train commuter Alice Carter said she wanted the rule to stay in place, it worked and was "a matter of principle" to commuters.

"If they're paying less for their trip, they should have to stand up for someone paying the full price," Carter said.

MONIQUE FORD/STUFF Commuters hope morals will take the place of rules when it comes to standing up for one's elders. (File photo)

Kāpiti man Quentin Griffiths believed anyone who paid for the service, regardless of rates, should have the same rights.

"Then the simple rule applies that a seat should be given up by someone who needs it more, perhaps due to injury, advanced age, pregnancy or disability."

Jason Smith doubted young people would vacate their seats for others if there wasn't a rule in place.

"People aren't as polite as you think they are. I see it all the time on the train, young kids sitting while old ladies stand."

All of the teenagers Stuff spoke to said the same thing - they would stand up for older people, those with disabilities and pregnant women, although they might have to be asked to do it.

"To be honest, I don't notice what's going on around me on the train, I'm not rude, I just don't pay attention," a 16-year-old boy confessed.

A Tawa College student, who did not want to be named, was offended there had to be a rule in the first place.

"Teenagers aren't actually horrible people."

SUPPLIED Young people won't need to vacate their seats on Wellington public transport thanks to a change in rules. (File photo)

Philosophy professor Bill Fish said adults shouldn't worry the end of the rules would bring an end to courtesy.

In fact, rules often had the opposite effect, particularly when it meant a young teenager had to give up a seat to a fit and healthy 22-year-old, he said.

"If they're asked to make a moral decision, they'll usually get it right. Try and force them to follow a rule that doesn't make sense and they'll rebel."

SUPPLIED Children and students will no longer have to stand up for adults if they don't want to. (File photo)

Victoria University of Wellington Students' Association president Marlon Drake said young people tended to give up their seat regardless of the rules.

"But I think most young people would prefer being given the benefit of the doubt, rather than have it mandated – you know, giving them that trust they'll be considerate of others just as they would expect others to be considerate of them."