Mexico City rolls out women-only buses

[951-Riverside]

Source: Associated Press

Groping and verbal harassment is an exasperating reality for women using public transportation in this sprawling capital, where 22 million passengers cram onto subways and buses each day. Some men treat women so badly that the subway system has long had ladies-only cars during rush hour, with police segregating the sexes on the platforms.

But that hasn't helped women forced to rely on packed buses, by far the city's most-used form of public transportation — until this week.

Acting on complaints from women's groups, the city rolled out "ladies only" buses, complete with pink signs in the windshields to wave off the men.

As word spreads about the buses, the women seem delighted, while some men forced to wait a few minutes longer have shown their anger. Still others have stumbled on board despite the signs, much to their embarrassment.

On Thursday, passengers on one of the female-only buses spent most of their trip down the capital's tree-lined Reforma Avenue chatting or putting on makeup, instead of fighting off unwanted male attention.

When a man mistakenly climbed aboard, the women immediately began teasing him and shouting that he should read the "ladies only" sign.

"He's a gentleman! He should get off," shouted Yolanda Altamirano, a 64-year-old office janitor.

The man blushed and mumbled an apology, then ignored the taunts until he got off several stops later.

"Now he knows how women feel," Altamirano said, unapologetic for giving him a hard time.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080124/ap_on_re_la_am_ca/mexico_women_only_buses

[LisaM]

1. Good!

A few years ago, I was walking a friend's Great Dane (170 pounds) late at night, and a man crossed the street to be on the other side. It made me realize how much I have to adjust my habits to keep reasonably safe, especially at night.

Why do men DO this? A friend and I were getting on a bus one day (mid-day!) and a guy first started hassling us, then slapped her on the rear end. He was tossed off the bus eventually. I have never seen a woman assault a man on the bus this way. In fact, I had a very unpleasant incident at a bus stop once and had to do a police interview later - guy started talking to me, then stroking the sleeve of my coat, then when I backed away, he started very publicly stroking something else. It was AWFUL and made me realize how vulnerable those of us who rely on public transportation can be.

[Kolesar]

5. Scary

We were menaced by some dumbs**t in the metropark a few years ago. It wasn't sexual, but it was scary. The guy was pretty stupid because there were two of us. Now I am off to look up Victor Jara. I don't think I've read those liner notes in 25 years!

[UTUSN]

2. & the great wheel turns and turns. So first people fight for equality, then go to segregation &

back again. Neighborhoods, schools, all boys all girls uniforms...

[SpiralHawk]

3. Not when men behave with dignity as protectors of the community

Only when they act like pigs...

[kimmylavin]

4. I'm not sure how I feel about this.

I don't like the segregation aspect, but I've been groped and harassed on subways.
A friend of mine even wound up with... well, something on her pants from the disgusting man leaning up against her.

[UTUSN]

6. It's happened to ME (a dude)!1 On a crowded bus, long distance

I was skrunched as far as I could go. A tall dude kept "stretching" his legs till it was obvious it was over.

[qnr]

7. But still, those unisex bathrooms never really caught on n/t

[meow2u3]

8. If these cavemen really have no self-control

...the government of Mexico ought to have these guys neutered.

[KamaAina]

9. That'd just about be the last straw

As word spreads about the buses, the women seem delighted, while some men forced to wait a few minutes longer have shown their anger.

I have plenty of chances to show my anger as it is. Buses jammed full of middle school kids (even the long articulated ones!) Buses marked "Not In Service" even when it is obvious they still have passengers (they just stop when requested to let people off, leaving the rest of us SOL). Buses whose drivers stop to tell tourist passengers that yes, this bus goes to Waikiki (which would explain the "Waikiki" sign above the windshield :dunce: ) One guy even got off and ducked into a convenience store! :grr:

And now this? :banghead: Fortunately Honolulu bus passengers behave with considerably more decorum than those in Mexico City.

edit; spelling, right before a dunce-cap smilie. Not good.