Public transport, is it a safe option for women?

The government has been attempting to get people out of their cars and onto buses and trains for some time now. For many people however commuting to work is already a way of life which can only be achieved by train. Taking a car into the centre of a large city is time consuming and with the new congestion charges in place in London, costly. However, many people would probably choose the privacy and convenience of their cars over the crowded, expensive and often unreliable buses and trains of the UK ’s transport network.

Aside from the increasing cost of train travel ( for example, a standard one-way journey from London to York, a distance of 197 miles, costs £70) travelling with the rest of the general population opens the door to a whole host of safety risks. Women in particular are more at risk when they are relying on public transport because of its inherent unreliability. Although there are attempts made at every juncture to improve the punctuality of trains and buses, many women regularly find that they are left waiting in darkness on platforms and pavements across the country. Although there is now CCTV on every corner, women need to take their safety into their own hands and be aware of the risks of public transport.

Although it is pretty safe to use public transport you never know who you will be sharing a platform or a carriage with. There are a few important measures you can follow when using public transport:

• Try to stay away from dark isolated bus stops especially late at night. If you are in this situation you should try to get a lift home with a friend or call a taxi. You should keep the number of a couple of taxi firms in your mobile phone

• If you are on an empty bus you should sit near the driver so that he can see you and anything going on. Check to see where the emergency stop button is

• If you are travelling on a train alone, make sure you sit near other people and near the train door if possible. Check to see where the emergency cord is

• If you are likely to be alone when travelling to work or just out and about it may be wise to invest in an attack alarm

In December of 2005 a girl was kidnapped and threatened with assault by a bogus taxi driver in the Sutton area. The incident occurred in the early hours of the morning when the girl had been out drinking and mistook the car for a taxi; she didn’t notice any identification marks on the car and trusted that the man was a genuine cabbie. Fortunately she was let out of the taxi after an hour of driving around; she was very upset but unharmed.

It is very important that women choosing to take a taxi home on a night out book it beforehand or go to a designated taxi rank. Taxi drivers must meet suitable criteria before they are employed. They must not have a criminal record and have a clean bill of health before they are given a license.

Taxi’s are probably the safest best when it comes to getting home at night. However, to ensure that you are safe when travelling in a taxi you should follow the tips below:

• Ensure that you are travelling in a licensed private hire vehicle (PHV). If you know you are going to be drinking and may not notice whether the car is licensed at the end of the night then book your cab before you go out. Make a note of the company that you book through and the phone number in case it doesn’t turn up. Tell a friend which cab company you have booked

• Check that the taxi that turns up is from the firm that you booked through. When you book ask for a description of the car. You can also ask for the name of the taxi driver to make doubly sure

• If you are on your own always sit in the back of the cab behind the driver. This is for your security

• If you do begin to feel concerned about the driver or his behaviour then ask to be let out in an area where there are lots of people about

• If you feel unsure about a driver before you get in just make an excuse and find another taxi you feel happier with

• If you have to be alone somewhere at night, wherever you are, you should invest in a personal alarm. These can be purchased easily online or in any hardware store

Many people still choose to use their own car to get from A to B because of the costs and inherent risk of travelling by public transport. Although the cost of running a car, with car insurance and road tax to pay for, is on the increase, many people see it as a small price to pay for their peace of mind. The good news is that it is possible to get cheap car insurance for women. Affordable car insurance rates are all over the place, if you know where to look!