Pink Trains ~ What do you think?

[**meep**]

NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell has rejected a call for pink train carriages for women and children, saying it's more important to provide "real protection".

The NSW Rape Crisis Centre and the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) want the government to trial the pink carriages on the City Rail network for three months between 7pm and midnight.

The carriages would represent safe zones next to guard carriages exclusively for women and children.

"This option for women and children, with access to the guard and security alarms, may encourage women and children to go out and enjoy all that our city has to offer without being concerned about what may happen on in the train on the way home," the NSW Rape Crisis Centre's Karen Willis said.

RTBU National Secretary Bob Nanva said the system has been successfully used in Brazil, Japan, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Israel and Taiwan.

But Mr O'Farrell says women should feel safe travelling day or night on all carriages.

"I think what's most important for all passengers, but particularly for female passengers, is to have appropriate security across our train system," he told reporters.

"My focus is on getting police transport command controlling our train system - not on carriages that might be painted pink but don't offer any particular protection in the event of a problem," he said.

There were 203 reported cases of sexual assault and other sexual offences on the rail network in 2010, with women aged 18 to 29 most likely to be the victims, the RTBU said.

[mainecoon1]

In Sydney(City Rail) they have blue zones which are clearly marked on the platform and in line with the blue light on the carriage the guard is in.  At night they also make announcements telling people of the blue light carriage and advising them to board these.  If these don't work why would a carriage painted pink work.

[the_great_she_elephant]

I can  remember the days when suburban trains in London (but not the underground) had "women only" carriages. They weren't pink, though.

[serendipityricho]

Hi -TGSE- did you have a ride on Stephensons Rocket?.

--just asking --and ducking.....................Richo.

[purple_haize]

I would just be happy, if here in Melbourne they put guards on suburban trains......

The driver cant possibly look after passengers and drive the train..........

[i-need-a-martini]

In Sydney(City Rail) they have blue zones which are clearly marked on the platform and in line with the blue light on the carriage the guard is in.  At night they also make announcements telling people of the blue light carriage and advising them to board these.  If these don't work why would a carriage painted pink work.

I catch the train 2-4 times a day to an from the city. I am aware there are 'safe' carriages but I wouldn't have the goiggiest where to stand or what carriage to be on. And not all platforms are marked and even when they are marked it is near impossible to see where (Think TownHall Station).

Markings on a platform are invisible. A coloured carriage is obvious.

[chinchuckchick]

Everyone should have the right to travel safely on public transport, whether they be male,female, children or adults.