Women only tube carriages

[labamba18]

A petition has reached 10,000 signatures for women only tube carriages.

This makes me so angry. I remember being harassed on public transport as a young woman and hoped that things would get better not worse.

But, as much as I think it’s awful that women still have to put up with this in 2025, I hate the idea of separate carriages. It feels like the laziest way of trying to stop the problem.

What do you think?

This escalated quickly.

Well fascists shouldn't be allowed in England, they should be shipped to Alcatraz.

I’d prefer some sort of facial recognition software so that if you are convicted of serious offences against women you are banned from the tube as part of your parole conditions. Along with the option of tfl being able to ban men who they see harassing women for x amount of weeks.

The trouble at the moment is that it’s likely to be reasonably small numbers of men doing the harassment, but no way to stop them continuing,

True

I'm against.

Years ago when I was a child/teenager there was a guard on every Underground train and he was inside one of the open carriages with us. I and many other women would always sit in the same carriage as him, and we felt completely safe.

I think staffed trains after rush hour would be much better to combat abuse.

Who on earth would “police” this? No chance. Sit with other women around.

They have this in many other countries I wonder how they work

But we can't even keep men out of our restrooms...

@Staybymw Which ones?

Japan, India, Mexico, Egypt, Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, UAE (Dubai), and Kazakhstan

India has an awful record of crimes against women. Mexico too I believe. Dubai - well we know how they view women. I’ve no doubt why they are separated there. Interestingly not a single European country or a North American one. Not seen it in Japan but I believe they are rush hour only. They are a rule following country though with etiquette being a priority. I’m still sceptical we are like that.

It’s always seemed like a bad idea to me. I agree it’s lazy. It seems like the easiest “solution” to a problem caused by men is to make women take action by forcing them into a train carriage just for them. Then when a woman is harassed or assaulted in a “mixed” carriage it will just be excused because ”she should have used the women only carriage”. Just like “what was she doing out at that time of night”

It will further be a stick to beat us with instead of a tool to support us.

I'd be concerned that if they brought these in and women who chose to use a mixed carriage were assaulted, would they be "asking for it" because they didn't use the segregated carriage?

ETA: Hadn't read @LoveSandbanks post above.

How old are you - you seem to be immature and angry
I have used the tube on my own since I was 13 and still often use the tube
Never had one issue in all my life
In fact have had lovely conversations with some men who are strangers

No one should ever have to feel unsafe , but segregation isn’t the answer, where would it end, separate shops, theatres, cinemas, trains, it’s totally impractical

I first saw these in Tokyo almost 20 years ago. After 6pm certain carriages became for women only. What’s the harm if it makes women feel safer by choosing to use it?

The concept is a cultural import that degrades us

America has the highest rape stats in the world I’m not sure that should be used as a country to compare to.

Unfortunately as long as there are men crimes against women will exist.

I find it strange that people on the board fight so hard for women’s only spaces in regards to toilets, refuges and changing rooms but are fighting hard against this.

The need for those spaces also show the need for women only carriages. It’s an ugly truth. But simply saying women shouldn’t have to need this isn’t helping women at all.

Nope. This sums it up for me… https://app.thenewworld.co.uk/story/146528/content.html.

As a tube worker, I can say this can’t work in especially busy spots. Also, it’s difficult enough to police customer behaviour as it is with the reduction of police cover, so I don’t know how we can sustain it.

On the District, circle, met and H&C lines trains are not partitioned so it’s impossible on that type of stock.

TfL do put out posters and try and raise awareness about being safe on the network and SA/unacceptable behaviour but really, harassers should be banned for life, which at the moment is not being done. Us workers need more support, legally, to bring more people to justice.

How about men only carriages instead and the rest for women and children. No space in the men's only carriage? Wait for the next tube.

They are not mandatory but provided as extra option for women who are not comfortable in mixed ones for whatever reasons. Usually experience. I don't see them as step back. More as an extra layer of comfoet and protection or those who need it or feel they need it.
I am for them tbh. But only if they will actually be women only and men getting in will be dealt with.

@Breakitinto3How do you think the men will be dealt with? Who will police this? I’m sure most men will respect the carriages but there’s not enough spare staff to police the carriages I would think. I always say to my DDs that they should stand with other women. Get off the train if necessary but be careful at all times.

I wasn’t comparing us to the USA but rape rarely happens on a train. So that’s a dubious stat regarding women only compartments. Having travelled on the elevated rail system in Chicago, I’d want to be separated from some of the women!