‘Women priority’ subway carriages trial scheme starts in China

Shenzhen has become the first city in China to introduce a pilot scheme for “women priority” carriages on its subway system, according to a newspaper report.

Two carriages will be tried out on four subway lines in the city, the Guangzhou Daily reported.

The scheme started on Monday.

Men are not barred from using the carriages, but are encouraged to allow only women passengers to travel in them, the report said.

The subway authority is testing the scheme to “give more care and respect to women”, but no more details were given for what prompted the initiative.

One woman passenger complained to the newspaper there were still too many men in the carriages because there was little publicity about the initiative and not enough guidance given.