On of my popular posts is Defense Against Gropers, about my lovely interesting experiences riding the buses and trains in Mexico City. Everyone who has asked me what it’s like to live there has heard my horror stories, so it was no surprise when I got emailed this:

Mexico City has started a women-only bus service to protect female passengers from groping and verbal abuse common on the city’s packed public transportation system.

My experience so far with the women-only carriages on the Metro (not buses) has been generally positive. These carriages are in operation and enforced/ policed during peak travel times, and I will usually board them, regardless of whether P is with me. The one time P joined me in the women’s carriage (he was helping me with my luggage), he was hissed at and got many dirty looks until I explained and smiled at my fellow passengers. Older women also tend to be very assertive and helpful, and they have protected me a number of memorable occasions.

For example, this comment in the article does not surprise me (although I’m uncertain Ms Zendejas said “butt” or “gross”):

“One time a man stuck his hand up my skirt. They grab your butt … It’s gross,” said 27-year-old office assistant Lourdes Zendejas, who waited 20 minutes during the evening rush hour to catch one of the new buses.

Typically, not everyone was satisfied:

“Women can be aggressive too,” said telephone operator Rosa Maria Vargas, 42, traveling with her 9-year-old son. “When it gets really crowded, I’ve been pushed and punched before by men and women.”

Although this complaint is very valid, I’d still prefer to be pushed by a woman than groped by a dirty pervert!

Note: if you are reading this, and planning to travel to Mexico, it’s a very enjoyable and pretty place to go, so don’t let this put you off. Just enjoy endure the experience!

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