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.

[i-need-a-martini]

Martini, what makes you think that a pink carriage designated for women is going to stop a group of drunken yobbos make a point of getting on it late at night and with no law enforcement officers around because they're busy putting down drunken brawls in other parts of the city?

Who knows? I would certainly FEEL much more comfortable knowing there are other women around me.

I think men lose their nerve when faced with a factor of more than one.

And I suppose we can look at statistics of violent rapes and assaults on women in public spaces that occur most likely when they are on their own - just look at the recent rape and murder of Jill Meagher. Perhaps that animal would not have attempted anything if there were 2 women together instead of her being on her own.

[catsnknots]

I am interested as to why you travel in the front or rear carriage as these are the furthest from the guard.  I always travel in the second last carriage but this is due to these carriages being close to the stairs when I board and depart the train which means I can clear the station quickly without having to be stuck behind loads of people trying to get up the stairs.

The front carriage is guaranteed to have a driver... I like the idea of a person being close that might be able to hear you if you need to scream for help... but that was years ago... 

In the last ten years the main train I have traveled on is the Tilt Train... five or so years ago when I did an overnight trip to Townsville with the kids we all fell asleep and I was woken by a creepy man sitting and staring... he said he was protecting us... apparently a woman on our carriage went to the toilet and a man got up and raped her and no one heard it happen.... it was reported and the police came on at the next stop and arrested him... and I slept through the whole thing and that really scared me so I stopped those train trips and did them by car. 

Those trains are considered safe... they have an attendant that travels up and down the train... it shook me up and made me realise that no matter how safe they attempt to make the journey you are always at risk and I want to be where someone can hear my calls. 

Will a pink carriage dedicated to the safety of women and children help??? only if there is an official on it all the time. I highly doubt that will happen.  

Is it fair to discriminate against the majority of men that are good and honest??? I don't think so.  

[catsnknots]

I always traveled on the first of last carriage in the early morning or late evening... it is something that i was taught and would teach my kids too.... 

You realise that the last carriage is where violent behaviour is most likely to be recorded. ?:|

Way back when I lived in Melbourne and traveled on trains there were guards at the back of the carriage... OMG.. that is years and years ago... 

They then changed it to driver only and that is why I traveled at the front... 

[the_hawk*]

I think they should have plain cloths special forces guys rides the trains to sort out any trouble makers ]:)

[purple_haize]

Way back when I lived in Melbourne and traveled on trains there were guards at the back of the carriage... OMG.. that is years and years ago... 

They then changed it to driver only and that is why I traveled at the front... 

After they had the guard in the back carriage, they then changed it that the guard was in the 3rd carriage and for women to feel safe they should get in that carriage......

That didnt last long, because they changed it to no guards on Melbourne suburban trains, only the driver now, so if I go anywhere I am in with the driver in front carriage.

[*pepe]

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.

This guy has hit the nail on the head, the only answer is appropriate security for all and a pretty pink carriage without security is going to be no safer than a normal carriage.

[the_bob_delusion]

🙂

good idea.

[the_bob_delusion]

This story reminds me of another one recently in another country where they'll ban women from wearing short skirts or revealing clothes so they won't get rape. This initiative solves nothing unless attitude changes.

[polksaladallie]

When the Power of Love is stronger than the Love of Power the World will know Peace - Jimi Hendrix

Who saidWhen the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will truly know peace? Answer: "When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."
people believe Jimi Hendrix was the creator of this quote it was really Sri Chinmoy Ghose


The original person to say this also wrote the book, "Discourses On War" and it was first said like this: "We look forward to when the power to love will replace the love for power. Then will our world know the blessings of peace."
-Dr. William Ellery Channing
1780-1842

[i-need-a-martini]

This guy has hit the nail on the head, the only answer is appropriate security for all and a pretty pink carriage without security is going to be no safer than a normal carriage.

This guy (our stupid idiot of a Premier O'Farrell) has cut the security personnel on the trains by almost a 3rd and had the bright idea of replacing them with police. He's taken police off the job to create some special security task force.

All that's happened is that I no longer see ANY guards on the trains. And nor do I see any police because they are dedicated to Saturday night commutes where they spend their time moving on drunks .

Nice on Liberals!