Safer then you think!

Public officials and transit agencies can help create a new transit safety narrative by developing better risk evaluation tools, better communicating public transit’s overall safety and health benefits, and providing better guidance concerning how transit users and communities can enhance safety and security. [...] It evaluates various public transit risks including accidents, crimes and terrorism; compares these risks with other transport modes; examines evidence of excessive and irrational fear of public transit; investigates how transit agencies currently explain risks and safety strategies; and recommends better ways to communicate public transit safety benefits and strategies. [...] For example, transit passengers face risks of assault and theft when accessing and using transit services, while motorists face risks of vehicle assault (drivers intentionally crashing into a person or other vehicle) and other forms of road rage, vehicle theft and vandalism, plus risks of assault and theft when walking to and from parked vehicles, or if their vehicle fails in isolated locations (A [...] The traditional way to reduce crime risk was for 11 Safer Than You Think! Revising the Transit Safety Narrative Victoria Transport Policy Institute individuals and communities to try to distance themselves from higher risk populations: households moved from cities to suburbs and neighborhoods discouraged affordable housing and public transit in order to exclude lower-income households. [...] Public Communications Virtually any communication by transportation and transit agencies to transit passengers, the general public and public officials can be an opportunity to communicate key messages about public transit safety, security and health.