NST: MRT to introduce designated ladies coach soon, says Anthony Loke
PETALING JAYA: A designated ladies' coach will be created on the MRT Kajang Line soon, taking on a similar concept to its KTM Komuter counterpart which introduced the service in 2010.
Transport Minister Anthony Loke said a trial run would be conducted and he would be announcing the date it takes effect.
He said this was one of the initiatives in the pipeline to provide a comfortable environment for women when travelling.
"We know that public transport users, especially women, are concerned about their safety.
"They do not feel uncomfortable when the coaches are congested and afraid of being possibly harassed. We understand that feeling.
"However, we will try to introduce the ladies' coach for the MRT Kajang Line and we will see what is the feedback from users," he said after a corporate visit to Media Prima Bhd (MPB) at Sri Pentas today.
Loke, however, said there would be challenges to enforce the ladies' coach concept on the MRT compared to KTM Komuter.
He said it differed in the sense that KTM Komuter goes on a longer distance with lesser stations compared to the MRT and LRT which are both fast moving transit services.
"MRT and LRT lines have four coaches respectively while KTM Komuter has six coaches, with one of them being used as women's coach.
"For the MRT, with four coaches, including one dedicated for women riders, there will be challenges to the operations.
"And because it is a transit, the movement of users is quite fast and it is hard to control. But we will try to do it as we know this is a service that interests women riders," he added.
KTM Komuter introduced the ladies coach on April 28, 2010 in the interest of its women riders, which makes up 60 per cent.
The ladies' coaches are differentiated with pink stickers displayed on the outer and inner parts of the coach bearing the words "Coach for Ladies Only" as well as special waiting areas.
