Hi! Our names are Bria, Makaela, and Leah. We are Juniors at Newton South hoping to make women feel safer on public transportation. We all have either felt unsafe or know someone who has felt unsafe using public transportation around the greater Boston area. We want women to feel comfortable using public transportation, and we see a few attainable ways to do that. We hope to get better lighting in and around Train/Bus stops and implement a Between-Stops program on buses. Better lighting will improve visibility, and add to a feeling of security when waiting for the train/bus. Dark or dim lighting is very often associated with feelings of anxiety, fear, and a feeling of, "what if." Second, we want to pass a program similar to one implemented in Montreal called Between-Stops. This program allows women to request the driver stop between two stops. It would allow women to get off closer to their houses, and avoid parking lots and bus stops late at night. These areas are proven to be most feared by women specifically, and we hope to decrease anxiety around taking public transportation. We'd love for you to sign and show your support for this cause, and spread awareness of this issue. 

Thank you so much!!