The Surrey Board of Trade issued a letter to TransLink CEO Kevin Quinn, calling for immediate action to improve safety measures for women on public transit.
“To ensure that all women are part of the workforce, we need to address the needs of women on transit,” said Anita Huberman, President & CEO, Surrey Board of Trade. “Women, in most cases, are the primary caretakers of their children, taking them to and from appointments, going to work, daycare, and school, and grocery shopping, which requires frequent trip chaining. The Surrey Board of Trade has heard firsthand incidents of harassment and fear from our members while using transit. This fear for safety is not easily understood.”
The Surrey Board of Trade and their Surrey Women in Business Team recommend that:
- TransLink research the transit needs of women and conduct a women’s safety audit;
- Ensure that the time for one fare during the day is extended to 3 hours, reducing the financial burden placed on women;
- TransLink implement a family-only cab, compartment, or section of a transit vehicle;
- More female staff be hired to provide a level of comfort for women; and,
- Install better lighting at all transit stops, and on all transit vehicles.
Read the letter here.
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Anita Huberman, 604-634-0342, anita@businessinsurrey.com
