An auxiliary policeman informing a passenger that he’s in the coach meant for women only. — Picture by Nurul Syazana Rose Razman
They are either oblivious to the "ladies only" sign or simply choose to disregard women's need to feel safe.
The pink coach was launched in April last year by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Bhd (KTMB).
A regular commuter, An-Zurie Ayesha Abu Johan, 19, said lack of awareness is one of the main reasons why men still board the ladies-only coach.
"Some of them are not aware of this rule and they just get in without realising that they are in the wrong coach," she said adding that it occurs mostly during peak hours.
"But some just don't bother about the rule as long as they can board any coach to reach their destination," said An-Zurie.
She said KTMB should place more of its officers or auxiliary policemen to make sure that men don't board the ladies' coach.
Another commuter, Anbarasan Balakrishnan, 24, said foreigners and those who rarely travel by train are the ones who accidentally get into the ladies-only coach.
"They are not used to this rule and they just get in.
"However, when the auxiliary policemen tell them to leave only then they realise that they've boarded a ladies-only coach," said Anbarasan.
Streets also saw latecomers just rushing into the middle coach without realising that it's meant for women.
One of the policemen at the station said it was common to see men boarding the women's coach.
"It is our job to make sure that men are not in the middle coach," he said.
KTMB corporate communications senior manager Mohd Fazil Ismail said to address the problem, they've already placed auxiliary policemen at certain train stations considered to be hotspots such as KL Sentral, MidValley, Bank Negara and Kuala Lumpur.
He said KTMB also seeks the assistance of its staff who take the train to work to monitor the situation.
He said by the end of the year, KTMB will be introducing a fine to overcome the problem.
"We are waiting for the green light from the Ministry of Transport and Land Public Transport Commission (SPAD) before we can implement it," said Fazil.
Read more: WOMEN ONLY http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/2cchoo/Article/#ixzz1YEpm2XxW
