SHENZHEN •South China's Shenzhen city has introduced "ladies first" carriages on its metro, the first in the country to offer the service. According to Shenzhen Metro Group, the first and last carriages of every train on four of its current lines are now designated priority carriages for women.
During the trial, pink signs saying "Priority Carriages for Women" have been installed on the shield gates and inside the carriages. Railway staff will inform commuters about the availability of the special carriages in various languages, the metro company said.
Monday's move has been welcomed by female passengers, some of whom said they had often felt uncomfortable during peak hours.
Other women said they had encountered harassment on the metro.
"When the train is overcrowded and I have to stand in close proximity to male passengers, it's often uncomfortable," said a female passenger with the surname Cong.
The carriages do not shut out male passengers altogether, said Shenzhen Metro, adding that feedback will be reviewed.
Other cities like Guangzhou will also start providing such carriages today.
XINHUA
