Melbourne public transport: Survey finds many women feel unsafe on trains, trams, buses

Ananya Gaitonde has avoided catching public transport after dark since moving to Melbourne in late 2022.

Trains, trams and buses are the main modes of transport for the 25-year-old publicist, who doesn’t have a car. She uses the network almost every day, even though she doesn’t feel safe.

Like many women, Ananya Gaitonde avoids travelling on public transport at night. Credit: Justin McManus

Gaitonde said she had witnessed frightening instances of aggression and harassment on the network.

In one incident, an erratic person entered her train carriage and started intimidating a nearby passenger, before yelling, banging and spitting on the wall. Gaitonde was grateful to be with a friend at the time.

“Whenever I travel alone, I’m very on edge, and I try to avoid it as much as possibl