This is the shocking moment a passenger kicked a pensioner in a row over a priority train seat in Taiwan.

The clash happened when the younger commuter allegedly refused to give up her seat for the elderly lady on the Tamsui-Xinyi Line in Taipei on Monday.

Footage shows the persistent senior repeatedly swinging her handbag at the woman, claiming 'she had a lot of things and wanted to hang them next to her'.

The young passenger was seen calmly handing a shopping bag to her companion before then kicking the old woman in retaliation, sending her staggering backwards onto an empty seat.

An elderly man approached to check on the stunned senior, and a verbal argument then ensued, with the old lady threatening to call the police.

Onlookers activated the emergency intercom to report the incident, and a stationmaster later boarded the train to mediate. The fight reportedly did not disrupt train operations.

The Taipei Rapid Transit Corporation, which operates the railway, said the altercation happened at 4 pm local time while the trip was headed to Tamsui District.

It said that priority seats are provided in accordance with the Law on the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and were reserved for 'all passengers who truly need them', not just the elderly.

The company said in a statement: 'The Metro urges passengers to demonstrate empathy and create a better riding environment. However, the Metro also acknowledges that some passengers' needs cannot be determined based on appearance, and urges the public to be more understanding.

'The Taipei Metro would like to remind passengers that that if any abnormal situation occurs on the train, you can notify the train operator or the operation control center through the intercom, notify the station staff at the station, or use the Taipei Metro AI smart customer service to make a report, and the station will send personnel to handle it as soon as possible.'

Taipei Metro Police said they were aware of the brawl and will review CCTV footage to identify the pair.

Both passengers may face maximum fines of 18,000 Taiwanese dollars (439 GBP) each for violating Taiwan's Social Order Maintenance Act and will be summoned for questioning.

(1 GBP = 41 NTD)