Safety of female commuters — Malaysia Consumers Movement

JUNE 10 — A large portion of one’s life today is spent shuttling from one point to another. Predominantly, the availability, accessibility and affordability of public transportation makes it a preferred option and this includes women.

More often than not, females opt for the light rail transit (LRT) as a means to travel between locations, for it is deemed to be  an affordable, safe and secure option. Undeniably, the LRT is the most convenient and despite the recent price hike, it remains a popular option for many.

Over time, much has been done to improve the operation and technical aspects of the LRT, with some visible improvements being the expansion in the number of couches as well as increased frequency during peak hours. Suffice to say, these improvements has  significantly contributed to strengthen the importance of the LRT as the most preferred mode of public transportation.

Certainly there is still room for more improvement and to this end, the Malaysia Consumers Movement (MCM) calls for dedicated coaches for women. This suggestion, which from a cost perspective may requires nominal investment, in a long run it will assure that the safety and security of female commuters, especially during peak hours is protected. It a common sight where ladies are scrammed in the packed LRT and sometimes, a handful take disgusting advantage of the situation resulting in unpleasant experiences. Many countries have dedicated couch for women, and its noteworthy that in Malaysia, the KTM commuter has it. It’s therefore about time that the LRT follows suit.

The external environment is turning hideous, where women are deemed vulnerable and easy target for exploitation. As a caring society, it is incumbent upon us to be sensitive and responsible in addressing the evolving needs of consumers, in this regard, upholding the security and safety of women traversing using the LRT.

Women commuters access the LRT as early as wee hours, continuing over dusk. The segregation as such will help eliminate fears or potentially mitigate unwarranted scenarios facing women in the LRT.

Suffice to say, it is worrying and equally saddening to note the rising security risks facing women in Malaysia. It is a shared concensus to make this world a better place for women and others, alike.

Darshan Singh                                                                                     

President

Malaysia Consumers Movement (MCM)

* This is the personal opinion of the writer and does not necessarily represent the views of Malay Mail Online.

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