Women-Only Subway Cars (aka Anti-Groping Subway Cars)
There seem to be more stories about "women-only" subway cars cropping up these days. I know Tokyo did a trial run (or is planning to do a trial run) of a women-only subway car for one of their JR lines. But now this story from Seoul, Korea was just released by Reuters and it got me thinking about all those subway and Path rides I take around NJ & Manhattan. Yes, I was groped while riding the Path one night from NY heading back to NJ. The car was packed and sadly there were way too many young drunk professionals riding along. Unfortunately, I ended up standing next to some guy who must've poured Chivas Regal all over his clothes because he simply reaked of it. And the next thing I knew, I felt a hand grab my rear end and I jumped forward only to push another person in front of me. I knew it was that drunk bastard who touched me and I wanted to punch him but I didn't have enough room to turn and deck him. Instead I just turned and glared at his bloodshot eyes and made him regret that he ever wanted to reach for my rear end. He knew I was staring him down (people who know me know about my "death stare" - its the kind that makes people cower over and denies them the chance to look up and stare me straight in the face). He did give a half-assed apology where I only kept staring and shook my head in silence. I did not want to exchange words with a drunkard. That would be considered a waste of good words.
Anyway, that happend about four or five years ago. But it seems that groping on trains and subways is still prevalent and is encouraging a new way of thinking among transit systems worldwide. It would be very interesting if New York's MTA would consider womens-only subway cars. But then I realized that it would take away the unique ridership that is the New York subway system. Sure there are creepy people who jump on board and wack-off at the sight of a pretty woman. I've heard stories from friends who have been the object of one's wack-off desires. But what really makes the New York subway ridership unique from other major cities is the fact that most of the female ridership is fiercly independent. Plus, it kinda sends the wrong signal about riding a NY subway - like its dangerous or something. Ever since they started that "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign, its interesting how that phrase actually encourages people to be more vigilant than usual.
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