MRT Is Introducing Ladies' Coaches Soon. Here Are 3 Ways They Can Do It Better
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said a trial run will first be conducted to study user feedback.
By May Vin Ang — 05 Jul 2023, 04:18 PM
A designated ladies' coach will be introduced on the MRT Kajang Line soon, announced Transport Minister Anthony Loke
Loke said the initiative, which takes on a similar concept to KTM Komuter's women-only coaches, aims to provide a safe and comfortable environment for women.
"We know that public transport users, especially women, are concerned about their safety.
"They feel uncomfortable when the coaches are congested and they are afraid of being harassed. We understand that feeling," he told New Straits Times on Tuesday, 4 July.
However, he noted that there will be challenges in implementing the initiative.
He said a trial run will first be conducted to study user feedback on the urban train service.
Here are a few suggestions from commuters for the better implementation of women-only coaches on MRTs:
1. Increase the number of coaches per train or the frequency of trains
Loke has also addressed the issue of capacity if women-only coaches are implemented.
Currently, according to the MRT website, the Kajang Line train should come every six minutes during peak hours.
However, even without ladies' coaches, MRT commuters have already long complained about overcrowding, irregular timing, and long waits between trains.
In comparison to KTM Komuters which have six coaches per train, MRTs have only four coaches, which will not be enough to hold the capacity of passengers if one is dedicated to women, especially during peak hours.
More frequent trains and additional coaches would make the women-only coach initiative feasible, as well as give other commuters more comfort and less reason to squeeze into the women's coaches.
2. Have clearer signage and indication that it's a ladies coach
Even though KTM has differentiated its ladies' coaches from regular coaches with many pink signs that read "Coach for ladies only", not only on its interior and exterior, but also at designated waiting areas at the stations, many men are still found in the women-only coaches.
According to news reports and a survey done by International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) students, it was found that many men continued using these coaches because they claimed they did not notice the pink stickers and signboards.
The survey had respondents suggesting that the signage is not effective enough, and has recommended colouring the whole coach in pink or any bright colour, such as in Japan and India, to indicate they are women-only coaches and for passengers to be more aware.
3. Enforce the rule by having an officer on patrol
Women passengers have also long called for a dedicated security officer to patrol ladies' coaches and prevent men from getting onboard.
Even though oversight is the normal excuse given, more often than not, some men choose to be ignorant and disrespectful, even after other passengers have asked them to leave.
In 2018, a woman was berated by a group of men for asking them to leave a ladies' coach after she noticed another woman breastfeeding a child.
With the presence of security, and the possibility of imposing a small fine on stubborn male users, it is more likely the ladies' coach would maintain being a safe haven for women commuters.
If you or someone you know may be at risk or has experienced sexual abuse or assault, please reach out to these Malaysian organisations:
1. WOMEN'S AID ORGANISATION (WAO)
Operating hours: 24-hour
Contact: +603-30008858
SMS/WhatsApp: +6018-9888058
Website | Facebook | Twitter
2. ALL WOMEN'S ACTION SOCIETY (AWAM)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9.30am - 5.30pm)
Contact: +603-78770224
WhatsApp/Telegram: +6016-2284221 | +6016-2374221
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
3. WOMEN'S CENTRE FOR CHANGE PENANG (WCC PENANG)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +604-2280342 | +604-3988340
WhatsApp: +6011-31084001 | +6016-4180342
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
4. SARAWAK WOMEN FOR WOMEN SOCIETY (SWWS)
Operating hours: Monday (7pm - 9pm),Tuesday to Thursday (9.30am - 11.30am), Saturday (2pm - 4pm)
Contact: +6082-368853
SMS/WhatsApp: +6016-5822660 | +6013-8044285
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
5. SABAH WOMEN'S ACTION-RESOURCE GROUP (SAWO)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (9am - 5pm)
Contact: +6088-280200 | +6011-27908020
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
6. PROTECT AND SAVE THE CHILDREN (PS THE CHILDREN)
Operating hours: Monday to Friday (3pm - 12am)
WhatsApp: +6016-7213065
Email: [email protected]
Website | Facebook | Twitter
7. INTERNET WATCH FOUNDATION (IWF)
Anonymously and confidentially report child sexual abuse content and non-photographic child sexual abuse images with IWF's Reporting Portal.
