We've already covered numerous examples of women-only taxi services over the last year or so, and now the idea appears to be spreading to public transportation as well. In Mexico City, where millions of women bus riders have long endured groping and verbal abuse en route every day, a new, women-only bus service aims to create a safer and more comfortable ride.
Mexico City created women-only subway cars years ago, and police reportedly enforce the segregation at rush hour. Beginning earlier this month, however, the same concept has been brought to the city's crammed buses under what's known as the Athena Program. Equipped with pink signs on the front to distinguish them, Mexico City's 22 women-only buses currently serve three busy routes throughout the day, and plans are in the works to bring the total to 15 routes by April 2008. "Women were asking for this service because of the sexual harassment, especially groping and leering," Ariadna Montiel, CEO of the bus system, told the Associated Press.
Women-only buses and (subway) trains have also appeared in Egypt, India, Brazil, Taiwan, the Philippines and Japan, along with taxis in the UK, Russia, India, Dubai and Iran. This trend shows no sign of waning; next, in more car-centric locales, how about women-only parking garages...? (For more examples of how companies are targeting women, check out our sister-site trendwatching.com's female fever briefing.)
Website: www.rtp.gob.mx
Contact: tgonzalez@rtp.gob.mx
Spotted by: RK
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Quite an interesting idea! Here, in Bangladesh, women have been demanding this kind of transport services for long. Currently, we have only a few privileges for female commuters i.e. separate seats in the buses, tempos and so. If the private transport companies, along with the public ones initiate plans alike, our female travelers are likely to get a favorable setting while moving on the streets.
I do understand the need, but what a horrible world when we have to resort to things like these, eh.
It makes me so mad that this is even necessary. It's a basic lack of respect for women that is pervasive and accepted in some public cultures.
I wonder what is it about American culture that allows men to behave like Gentlemen while in other cultures, it's ok for men to behave like animals.
This looks like a horrible answer to a serious problem. No women should have to deal with obnoxious men but segregation isn't a way to "solve the problem" which in essence is what business is about.
very good for lady i realy apricialte your idea. good,kamlesh
Seems like reverse distrimination to me, that doesn't really address the root of the problem... History has a pattern of repeating itself.
This was all over the news in Spain and in some countries in Latin America.
Why are you featuring this here? It has been spotted by zillions of viewers already ;)
Cheers and thanks for the blog.
Ariel Guersenzvaig | January 31, 2008 9:35 PM