first person Some men alighted from the middle coach on the KTM Komuter this morning at KL Sentral. One day earlier, and this would not have been amiss.

NONE But from today, that coach has been reserved for women on the Port Klang-Sentul-Port Klang line - and it was clear that the fact had yet to register for some passengers.

In the reserved coach, the men were oblivious to their surroundings. Asked why he was travelling in the women-only coach, one exclaimed, looking astonished: “Oh really? I have no idea! There is no indication!”

“There are some stickers on the window (pointing to the window),” I told him.

“But I cannot read it from inside,” he reasoned.

“I guess you are supposed to read it before you enter,” I said.

“Hmm… ok.,” he said, but remained seated and looked the other way indicating that our conversation had ended.

NONE Most others said they were not aware of the new initiative by KTM, but sportingly walked to the other coaches for the rest of their journey.

Muhammad Norzariman Kazari (left) who just completed his SPM examination was one of them.

Asked what he thinks of the move, he said he support the initiative as “it is safer for women passengers especially when the train is crowded”.

‘Much better now’

Most women were aware of the special arrangement, but did not appear perturbed by the presence of men in ‘their’ coach.

NONE Jobseeker V Sivaranjani ( right ), 23, said she is happy that KTM had implemented the rule.

“During the evening peak hour at 6pm, the train gets very crowded. Usually we have to jostle with others, especially with the men to get just some standing space. But it is better now and I feel more comfortable,” she explained.

Student Siti Amirah Mohamed Pauzy, also 23, said she had heard about the special coach the night before.

“I was excited and wanted to try it out,” she said.

In Sentul, KTMB staff were on hand to direct male passengers to the other two coaches, which are for both sexes.

NONE However, at other stations, there was no such control because officials were not present and there were no notices informing the public about the arrangement.

KTM Bhd has introduced the women-only coach for the comfort of women passengers and to guarantee their safety against sexual harassment.

Women make up 60 percent of the passengers, but they have often had to jostle for places in crowded carriages during peak hours of travel.

Pink stickers have been put up on the windows and doors of the middle coach of the train, to identify it as a women-only carriage.

VIDEO | 7 mins