April 29, 2010

KTM introduced it's pink women-only coach on 28th April 2010

The normal Komuter. Photo courtesy of Google.

So, what do I think of the idea? Well, it's commendable to say the least. For someone who have experienced being sexually harassed in the Komuter train first-hand, this is probably one small way to try to protect women from experiencing what I had. What? Don't believe I was harassed? 

When I was back in college, I commute from Kajang to my college in PJ everyday. The people in the LRT from KL Sentral to Asia Jaya was not as packed or as horrible as the people in the KTM Komuter. Every morning, by 6.15am I have to be at the Komuter station or I will definitely be late for my 8am class. This is because (if you used the Komuter before, you'll know) sometimes the Komuter do not arrive at its stipulated time. So when its late, the crowd grows and when it arrives, everybody squeezes themselves in, trying to shrink a size if possible. When there's too many people around, you're bound to bump into a pervert or two who'd pinch your bum or slide their hands up and down your ass. A few times I managed to step on their foot with enough force to make them howl. 

But there was one time, when I was on my way to class, I managed to get a sit and sat next to an older man and I was too tired from burning the midnight oil that I didn't realize I dozed off. It may be just a few seconds or a few minutes after I nodded off that I felt somebody's elbow started pushing against the side of my breast a few times. I opened my eyes slowly and realized the man beside me was acting like he's asleep yet he's pushing quite strongly again and again at my breast. So what did I do? I jumped up and swung my bag at his head. Of course I did manage to let out some profanities in between and a few Malay guys on board took notice and started coming to my aid. The man was too embarrassed to defend himself. He kept on apologizing to me and when the train stopped at the next station, he got off.

So, do I think a women-only coach could help? Well, I think it can help reduce the number of girls who might experience the same thing as me. I know a large number of girls who are too afraid or ashamed to do anything when they are sexually harassed in public that the only thing they would do is get up and go somewhere else. Malay girls especially, they are just too shy to open their mouths. I do hope though that this is not just some short-term gimmick on KTM's part to cover up their weaknesses such as the very problematic schedule that never seem to be solved and coaches that are too old and seats that are too ruined but still being used. I think an improvement in the services by the KTM Komuter, an upgrade from some of the almost-falling-apart coaches and higher security could also reduce these unwanted problems such as sexual harassment from arising. 

I hope this newly introduced service from KTM is not just a half-baked idea that will be forgotten and left behind after 6 months or a year from now. Still, I appreciate the effort they've done. Now, we'll just have to wait and see if it's all worth it.

Read the news here.

P/S: I still haven't try this coach yet. They're only available for the Sentul-Pelabuhan Klang route. If they have for the Seremban-Rawang route, maybe I'll give it a try. So I suggest that KTM should also prepare for the Seremban-Rawang route too. Surely there are a large sum of women from this part of town that could use some safety precaution as well.

14 comments:

Mariuca said...

:* :* :* :* :*

Mariuca said...

Hi Bella!

Mariuca said...

I've never taken a KTM ride or LRT for that matter! =-X =-X :-[ :-[ :-[ *DONT_KNOW* *DONT_KNOW* *DONT_KNOW*

Bella Enveeus said...

Hi Mariuca! Thanks for dropping by! Happy Friday! ;)

Bella Enveeus said...

Never taken? Well lucky you.. I had to commute for a few years when I was in college. It was murder!! The perverts is one thing but the smell.. FUH!

Razz Momma said...

maybe when i visit mid this year we can try the coach and see.. i never ride on one before.. lol!

LV said...

uve been harassed before? if something like that happened to me, i would probably do the same thing you did.. or like wat razz said she would do.. stupid man

nia said...

ha,..memang bagus pun. kalau tak, mcm2 cerita diaorg nih

Bella Enveeus said...

Yea, betul tu.. Tapi kita tengok la kalau berhasil ke tak apa yang dorg implimentasikan ni

Bella Enveeus said...

You never rode on a Komuter? Seriously? Eh when did you go to States la? How long Komuter was around dy ah? (I Malaysian also I dono.. HAHA!)

Bella Enveeus said...

I can't exactly shove my shoe up his mouth since I'm wearing my Nike and the seat is like 2-by-2 from the front to the back.. Hmmm understand my description? No? Never mind la, I show you only la when you come back, easy.. :-P

You Liang Tan said...

wow.. I've never rode with KTM for like ages already..
anyway good that u smacked that pervert lol

Bluecrystaldude said...

I rarely took a Komuter/LRT/Putra/Monorail or whatever they called it. In KL, I only took once or twice I think. My parents usually drive me everywhere in KL. Haha. But I had couple of experience riding one of those fast/bullet trains during my holidays.

Once, in London, my older brother caught a pickpocket who was trying to steal his wallet. Thank God he noticed it. The funny thing was that fella just stood there like he wasn't doing anything wrong. tsk tsk

Oh and the second one it was in Paris when my mum's luggage just slipped out of the train when it stopped! haha. Nasib baik sempat tangkap before it hits the ground. Hehe

Bella Enveeus said...

Wah so nice got mom and dad driving you around KL.. When I first got my license, they told me I should drive them around.. Before that, when I have to go KL, they tell me to pandai2 use the public transport, be independent.. But, they still check up on me every hour.. Haih.. Even now!

Oh, the fella act like everything's fine? Sabar jela.. Sepak je dia.. Everywhere you go, especially the big cities, it is very dangerous la.. Pickpocket, thieves in the alley, snatch thieves.. :( Nasib baik dapat tangkap the luggage.. I can't imagine how I can slip out the train though.. Pintu terbuka ke?

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