In response to the escalating crime rates in New York City, a growing number of women are opting for buses as a safer and more secure mode of transportation. Tatiana Alvarez, an Upper East Side content creator, recently shared a TikTok video encouraging women to try taking the bus, which garnered over 53,000 likes and sparked a wave of support from fellow bus enthusiasts.
Alvarez, along with many others, believes that buses offer a sense of safety and control that is lacking on the subway. The ability to exit the bus at any time if they feel uncomfortable provides a level of reassurance. The recent Brooklyn subway shooting during rush hour on March 14 has only heightened anxiety among commuters, particularly women, who feel the need to constantly be vigilant in the unpredictable streets of New York.
Videos on social media have shown that buses are often empty, and data supports the notion that they are indeed safer. For every million rides, the number of crimes reported on the subway is more than double that of the bus. Tierra Chess, an influencer and content creator from Queens, emphasizes that safety concerns extend beyond crime, citing instances such as flooded subway stations and overcrowding due to homeless individuals seeking shelter.
The dissatisfaction with the subway system is evident, as subway customer satisfaction dropped from 58% in September to 52% in February, according to MTA customer satisfaction surveys. In contrast, bus satisfaction increased from 59% to 61% during the same period. An analysis by The Post reveals that the bus is statistically a safer alternative, with a significantly lower chance of encountering crimes such as assault, sex offenses, disorderly conduct, or harassment compared to the subway.
NYPD data from September through February indicate that the subway had 392 reported crimes, translating to a rate of 4.3 crimes per million rides. In comparison, buses saw 60 crimes during the same period, resulting in a rate of just under 2 per million rides. While subway crime has seen a decrease of over 23% in March compared to the same time last year, thanks to increased patrols, bus data for March has not yet been released.
2 Responses
I completely understand why women in New York City are choosing buses as a safer mode of transportation. The escalating crime rates can be really concerning. However, I’m curious to know what the author thinks about the overall safety measures in place in the city and if they believe there are any other viable solutions to address this issue. Additionally, I would be interested to hear their thoughts on the impact of these safety concerns on women’s daily lives and how it might affect their choices and freedom of movement.
This post highlights the increasing trend of women choosing buses as a safer mode of transportation in response to rising crime rates in New York City. This information can be applied in various real-world scenarios.
For instance, transportation authorities and city planners can use this data to prioritize the safety of bus routes and stops. They can implement additional security measures, such as increased police presence or surveillance cameras, to ensure the safety of female passengers. This can help build trust and encourage more women to use public transportation, ultimately reducing