Subway creates women-only platforms, infant rooms

Subway authorities in Wuhan, Hubei Province have set aside a section of each platform that is restricted to women only during the early morning and late evening in a bid to protect them from being harassed, molested or even robbed.

The special sections on platforms on subway Line 2 will be set aside for women only before 7 am and after 9 pm. The areas are equipped with surveillance cameras and signs will be posted indicating that men are not allowed to enter the area.

"At certain periods there are fewer people on the subway and women might feel unsafe. Also, if they run into danger, it will be easier to come to their aid," Zeng Tiemei, head of the Wuhan Metro engineering department, told the Global Times.

Three stations along Line 2 are also being equipped with special infant rooms containing sofas and baby chairs where mothers can breast-feed their children and change their diapers in private.

Some services being adopted on the new Wuhan metro line are a first for subways in China.

Wuhan authorities got the idea to provide the services after seeing how well the measures were received after they were implemented in other countries.

"It's not because there have been a lot of reports of women being harassed on the subway. We just want to take care of our riders," said Zeng.

Another innovation that will be a first in the country is automated library dispensers at each station that will allow commuters to borrow and return books.

Zeng said Wuhan Metro is thinking about adding the innovations to the lines that are still under construction, but there is no plan to provide the services on the existing Line 1.