coz' you end up alienating law abiding men.

i dont see it that way.  im sure that husbands, fathers wouldnt either, knowing their wives and daughters are safer travelling alone.

So what happens when Mum and Dad are travelling together with the kids ? Do they have to travel in the "unsafe" carriages?

They can just dump dad in the unsafe carriages.

I remembered in other countries where I've seen it, it's in a muslim predom popn. 

Women are seen as frail and useless and need to be protected there. That I think is more for religious/cultural reasons. 

So what happens when Mum and Dad are travelling together with the kids ? Do they have to travel in the "unsafe" carriages?

I believe its optional for women who travel alone and obviously if they have children with them, either male of female, they will be allowed to use the safe carriages.

I don't travel on public transport at night with or without our kids, it's not the train journey that makes me nervous, it walking the parking lot to get to my car.

They can just dump dad in the unsafe carriages.

Why would they do that?? 

So what happens when Mum and Dad are travelling together with the kids ? Do they have to travel in the "unsafe" carriages?

Thats not the point. It is for women travelling alone.

I remembered in other countries where I've seen it, it's in a muslim predom popn. 

Women are seen as frail and useless and need to be protected there. That I think is more for religious/cultural reasons. 

Japan? Brazil?

I don't know any muslim countries that do this. Which ones?