Introduction: Safety on Public Transportation

Public transportation can be a convenient, cheap, and efficient way to travel, especially in bustling urban areas. However, for many women, this mode of travel is fraught with dangers and discomfort. This article explores personal stories and experiences of female commuters, highlighting the challenges they face and offering insights into how to navigate these challenges with safety and dignity.

Personal Experience: A Former Cop's Work

When I was a police officer, I often worked outside subway entrances on W 96th St, Broadway. The scene at rush hour was a chilling reminder of the pervasive and unthinkable behavior that some men exhibit. Women emerging from the subway, often in fur coats in winter, frequently found themselves in an uncomfortable and disgusting situation. This experience deeply underscores the urgency of addressing safety concerns on public transportation.

College Commute: From Taboo to Struggle

As a young woman, my commute to college was a daily struggle, highlighted by deeply rooted beliefs within my family. My education was not seen as a priority; it was merely a means to secure a wedding dowry. Naturally, asking for a private scooter to commute was a non-starter due to the cultural taboos surrounding spending on female education. As such, I was left with no choice but to rely on public transportation, a system that did not cater well to my needs.

Rushing to Work and the Crowds

The morning rush hour was particularly challenging. Buses were packed with people trying to make it to work on time, often with more men than women on board. The crowd made it difficult to move, and leaving the bus was a daunting task. On such a day, I encountered a man who, in a moment of unprovoked and despicable behavior, stabbed his genitals into my backside. This shocking experience was not an isolated incident; many women faced similarly degrading and hazardous situations on public transportation.

Surviving the Daily Haze

The crowded and often chaotic environment allowed miscreants to take advantage of women. My body became a frequent target, subjected to unwanted and aggressive touches, from lewd gestures to more invasive acts. The fear of retaliation if I tried to resist or report these incidents added layers of complexity and danger to my daily journey. My dignity and safety were continually under threat.

The Turning Point: Personal Initiatives for Safety

One day, I reached a breaking point and decided to take action. I asked a friend to film a husband harassing me, giving me a voice where none seemed to exist. We also planned to catch the male harassers at the bus stop and beat them, vowing to report the incident to the police. On the day we planned, we acted, and the harassers were taken to the station with the evidence we had captured. This act of solidarity and personal empowerment was both empowering and terrifying, but it marked a turning point in my journey.

Conclusion: Advocacy and Awareness

The experiences of women on public transportation reflect a broader systemic failure to ensure the safety and respect of female commuters. These stories are echoed by countless other women who face daily indignities in a place that should be a safe and accessible means of transportation. It is imperative that we address these issues through awareness campaigns, policy changes, and community support to ensure that every woman can commute without fear.

Through personal stories like mine, we can raise awareness and advocate for change, creating a safer and more dignified public transportation system for all.