Personal Safety
Catching a Public Ride:
|
Section Sponsor:
|
By Jillian Crocetta
How comfortable do I feel on public transportation? It depends on the day.
Am I alert, or am I exhausted? Is it early in the morning or late at night? Am I alone? Am I in a rush? Did I buy plane tickets three months ahead, or am I running down the stairs to the subway, hoping to catch the uptown train before the doors close? God forbid I wait another nine minutes.
Since moving to New York City, I have become reliant on public transportation. Taking public transportation can be convenient and liberating – you can relax, catch up on some reading, or answer emails on your phone, instead of squeezing your car’s steering wheel while reckless drivers weave in and out of lanes. But public transportation can also be potentially dangerous at times, especially for women.
I spoke with safety experts as well as two city commuters who use public transportation daily, and I've included a few of my own suggestions. Whether you’re visiting an unfamiliar city or planning a trip overseas, these tips will help you safely navigate planes, trains, buses and rideshares.
Planes & Airport Safety
How comfortable do I feel on public transportation? It depends on the day.
Am I alert, or am I exhausted? Is it early in the morning or late at night? Am I alone? Am I in a rush? Did I buy plane tickets three months ahead, or am I running down the stairs to the subway, hoping to catch the uptown train before the doors close? God forbid I wait another nine minutes.
Since moving to New York City, I have become reliant on public transportation. Taking public transportation can be convenient and liberating – you can relax, catch up on some reading, or answer emails on your phone, instead of squeezing your car’s steering wheel while reckless drivers weave in and out of lanes. But public transportation can also be potentially dangerous at times, especially for women.
I spoke with safety experts as well as two city commuters who use public transportation daily, and I've included a few of my own suggestions. Whether you’re visiting an unfamiliar city or planning a trip overseas, these tips will help you safely navigate planes, trains, buses and rideshares.
Planes & Airport Safety
Plane travel can be very exhausting, especially if you are changing time zones, or just feel physically drained from the narrow plane seats or pressure in the plane cabin. While airport security has become a routine checkpoint for travelers, it is always important to stay alert before and after the checkpoint, especially if your energy is depleted. Bill Murphy, a retired detective for the Albany Police Department, shares these tips on how to do so:
|
"Don’t fall asleep in an airport terminal if you are by yourself. Larger airports offer areas where you can rest. Examples: the Minute Suites at the Philadelphia International Airport and Charlotte Douglas International Airport, and the Sleepbox pods at the Washington Dulles International Airport." ~ Bill Murphy, Retired Detective, Albany Police Department |
Trains (Particularly Subways)
Although some of these tips can be applied to above ground train travel, underground subway trains can potentially pose more risks. Perhaps you’re familiar with New York City’s subway, Chicago’s “L” Train, Boston’s “T,” etc. If you’ve been on some of these lines, odds are you’ve probably heard the slogan “If you see something, say something.” But these are not preventative announcements. Something has already gone wrong.
Here are a few ways to avoid that something altogether:
Buses
Bus travel can be a helpful alternative to underground trains for those living in larger cities. And in some smaller cities, buses may be the only option for public transportation. While some of the tips about staying safe on a train may be applicable, John Good, a retired Glenview, Illinois police officer, offers a few more:
Although some of these tips can be applied to above ground train travel, underground subway trains can potentially pose more risks. Perhaps you’re familiar with New York City’s subway, Chicago’s “L” Train, Boston’s “T,” etc. If you’ve been on some of these lines, odds are you’ve probably heard the slogan “If you see something, say something.” But these are not preventative announcements. Something has already gone wrong.
Here are a few ways to avoid that something altogether:
- Don’t get on an empty train car. There is probably a reason no one is on it.
- Text a friend your ETA. Underground trains can be especially intimidating, as you often lose cell phone service while traveling underground. Let a friend know your estimated time of arrival, and keep them updated between stops.
- Don’t stand near the platform edge while waiting for the train. A frequent New York City subway commuter, Katherine, advises to always stand near a wall or behind a pillar. Oliva, another New York City commuter, suggests standing near other women, if possible.
- Don’t choose a seat right near the doors, especially if you are holding a bag or purse. Olivia remembers this advice was shared at her college orientation.
Buses
Bus travel can be a helpful alternative to underground trains for those living in larger cities. And in some smaller cities, buses may be the only option for public transportation. While some of the tips about staying safe on a train may be applicable, John Good, a retired Glenview, Illinois police officer, offers a few more:
|
"Exude confidence when riding public transportation. You are much less likely to be bothered or targeted if you appear confident (even nonchalant). Point being, don’t look nervous or worried." ~ John Good, Retired Police Officer, Glenview, IL |
- Wear a crossbody bag. Public buses can get crowded, and it is always a good idea to have your possessions in front of you, where you can see them. And as far as possessions go, don’t carry large amounts of cash or multiple credit cards.
- Keep your eyes and ears open: The use of headphones dulls the sound around you and makes you more vulnerable. Cell phones are also a distraction.
- Exude confidence when riding public transportation. You are much less likely to be bothered or targeted if you appear confident (even nonchalant). Point being, don’t look nervous or worried.
- If you're already on the bus when a situation becomes dangerous, move and get away. This could either mean getting off the bus at the next stop, even if it is not your stop, or moving to another part of the bus.
Lastly, from my own experience taking public buses, I’ve learned to not get on a bus where something feels off. Follow your intuition. Buses can come at infrequent times, especially at night, and it can be very tempting to get on the bus, even if you are sensing danger, because you are unsure when the next bus will come.
Rideshares
Newer to the public transit “game” are rideshares, such as Uber and Lyft. These offer door-to-door transportation in an uncrowded vehicle. Cheaper fares are shared with riders going to a different destination. While it may seem like you can let your guard down, particularly if you are not sharing with other riders, rideshares also have potential dangers, especially if you are alone.
I am not sure if I will ever be completely comfortable on public transportation, whether it is in New York City or in another city I am visiting. When others share your commute, there are a lot of variables that you cannot control. Even though you cannot control other people, you can be proactive when it comes to your personal safety.
I don’t live in fear every time I get on a bus or a train, because I pay attention to my surroundings and use my instincts. If you do this, it’s a great first step.
Rideshares
Newer to the public transit “game” are rideshares, such as Uber and Lyft. These offer door-to-door transportation in an uncrowded vehicle. Cheaper fares are shared with riders going to a different destination. While it may seem like you can let your guard down, particularly if you are not sharing with other riders, rideshares also have potential dangers, especially if you are alone.
- Always ask the driver the name of the person they are picking up. This makes the driver say your name, rather than responding with a “Yes” or “No.”
- You can enable the “require pin” feature on Uber, a feature that gives you a unique pin for each ride that the driver has to enter before the ride starts. This feature assures you that it is your Uber, and no one else is getting into it.
- If you are alone, call a friend during the ride. Let them know where you are, and what your estimated time of arrival is.
I am not sure if I will ever be completely comfortable on public transportation, whether it is in New York City or in another city I am visiting. When others share your commute, there are a lot of variables that you cannot control. Even though you cannot control other people, you can be proactive when it comes to your personal safety.
I don’t live in fear every time I get on a bus or a train, because I pay attention to my surroundings and use my instincts. If you do this, it’s a great first step.
|
Additional Resources:
Rail Safety (Operation Life Saver) NYC.gov Public Transportation Tips Airport Safety Tips Jillian Crocetta is a New York City-based human resources professional and freelance writer/editor who enjoys writing in the areas of identity, place, empowerment, and health & wellness. She has always been drawn to creative nonfiction and poetry and has a passion for generating stories. In addition to the articles she has written for Sanctuary, her work has been published in New Voices and Spotlight News.
|
