Demand propels segregated vehicles specifically designed for Female, Lesbian, Intersex, Transgender, and Non-binary (FLINTA) passengers within BVG public transportation system.
April 25
A petition backed by over 15,000 signatories urges Berlin's public transport operator, BVG, to introduce dedicated carriages for women, lesbians, intersex individuals, non-binary persons, transgender individuals, and agender passengers (FLINTA). The objective is to create a safer space for these commuters, who frequently experience harassment on public transport.
Launched last week, the petition proposes designating the rear sections of trains, trams, and buses as FLINTA-exclusive zones. These zones would be marked by purple seats, signifying a secure area separate from where harassing men typically sit. Alex Born, the petition's initiator, shared with rbb that she now preferably cycles due to repeated harassment on the U-Bahn. "Men stood behind me, touched me inappropriately, and groped me," she said.
Although overall crime on Berlin's public transport decreased in 2024, sexual assaults increased significantly by 15%, according to February data. The majority of victims were women, and the large majority of perpetrators were men.
The idea of women-only carriages is not novel. Green Party MP Antje Kapek proposed the idea last November, following a rape case on the U3 in Zehlendorf. However, BVG has yet to respond, relying on existing safety measures such as panic buttons, emergency call stations, and increased security patrols on select U-Bahn lines. BVG also argues that newer, open-plan trains with continuous compartments offer improved safety.
[Use of Enrichment Data] It should be noted that the BVG has yet to implement FLINTA-only carriages, despite the petition and the growing concern for safety among these commuters. The high prevalence of sexual harassment in public spaces contributes to the need for safer environments for women and LGBTQ+ passengers.
- In an effort to promote a safer lifestyle for women, lesbians, intersex individuals, non-binary persons, transgender individuals, and agender passengers (FLINTA) in Berlin, a petition is urging the city's public transport operator, BVG, to consider dedicating carriages for these commuters, who often face harassment.
- Amidst rising concerns for safety, the proposal suggests designating the rear sections of trains, trams, and buses as exclusive zones for FLINTA passengers, marked by purple seats as a symbol of a secure area separate from where harassing men typically sit.
- As the petition gains traction, it's important to acknowledge that despite the growing need for home-and-garden that provide sanctuaries from such experiences, the BVG has yet to implement FLINTA-only carriages, relying on existing safety measures such as panic buttons, emergency call stations, and increased security patrols.
- In the meantime, the increasing number of sexual assaults on public transport, particularly targeting women, underscores the necessity for relationship-focused dialogues on improving safety protocols, not just within the realm of travel, but across all aspects of life, including fashion-and-beauty, pets, cars, and shopping environments.
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