‘Women priority’ subway carriages trial scheme starts in China

Shenzhen has become the first city in China to introduce a pilot scheme for “women priority” carriages on its subway system, according to a newspaper report.

Two carriages will be tried out on four subway lines in the city, the Guangzhou Dailyreported.

The scheme started on Monday.

Men are not barred from using the carriages, but are encouraged to allow only women passengers to travel in them, the report said.

The subway authority is testing the scheme to “give more care and respect to women”, but no more details were given for what prompted the initiative.

One woman passenger complained to the newspaper there were still too many men in the carriages because there was little publicity about the initiative and not enough guidance given.

A male passenger told the newspaper he was not even aware of the special carriages.

The subway authority said it will announce over the tannoy every 10 minutes that the carriages are mainly for women, but will not demand male passengers leave.

One 28-year-old woman who takes subway to work every week day said she wished the cars were reserved for women only.

But a male passenger said it was impractical to dedicate two cars solely for women during the rush hour and more severe punishments should be given to men who harass or molest female passengers.