Mexico City's new "Women only" bus service

Concerned about safety on public transit? Look for the pink signs.

While a fact of life for the locals, Mexico City’s overcrowded transit system is the subject of warnings in travel advice. The crowded, chaotic buses are the perfect cover for pick pocketing and theft, and travellers are often warned against taking public transit during rush hour for this reason.

However, the women of Mexico City have a different concern: the groping, assault and verbal abuse they face on a daily basis. According to a recent article on Reuters, the transit authority has received numerous complaints and is now trying a new option: Women only buses. Identified by their pink signs, these buses run on the regular routes but only accept female passengers.

Currently, the buses only run on two of the city’s busiest routes, but look for a wider expansion of the program by April. The metro system also has reserved cars for women and children.