Here’s How To Stay Safe On Public Transport

1. Track your journey on your phone

Image source: Reddit

Now, we have all different kinds of capabilities on our phones, so when you're using public transport you can easily track your journey. And best of all, you can share your journey with someone else so that somebody knows exactly where you are which will help to keep you safe! You can do this for different legs of your journey too and then somebody will know where you are at all times.

2. Take a mental note of where the exits are

Image source: Reddit

One thing that we should all do when we are on public transport is check for the emergency exists and the general exits. This means that if anything did happen where we needed to get out quickly or you felt like you were in some kind of danger, you would already know where you had to go and you wouldn't have to work it out when you were already panicked.

3. Stay with other people

Image source: Reddit

It's a simple piece of advice that we've all heard before, but it cannot be underestimated as one of the best pieces of safety advice when traveling on public transport. If you are with someone you are much safer and much less vulnerable. So why not take a friend along if you can or your partner or a family member? This way you have safety in numbers.

4. Plan your journey in advance

Image source: Reddit

By planning your journey in advance, it means you know exactly where you have to go and at what times. There will be much less room to get lost or get on the wrong bus/train etc. And, you also know that you are on the correct route home. Sometimes dangerous situations can arise when we don't know where we're going and you can end up in a place you didn't intend to be.

5. Keep your valuables hidden

Image source: Reddit

This one is essential. If you have valuables such as a purse, expensive headphones, or anything worth money, don't have them on show. Don't have them tucked into the open side pockets of your bag or have them in your hand. If they are out of the site you are much less of a target for muggers who may seize the opportunity to take something from somebody if it is easily in reach!

6. Listen to your instincts

Image source: Reddit

We all have our gut instincts for a reason, they are there to drive you away from danger and keep you safe. So don't push these aside, you should always listen to them. Okay, sometimes they may be over-cautious, but often they truly work. When we listen to our instinct we may ourselves from being put into a situation where we aren't or do not feel safe!

7. Always report anything suspicious

Image source: Reddit

If everybody ignored anything suspicious, we would all be a lot less safe. On the other hand, if we report things when we see them the authorities can investigate things to keep us all safer. Don't be put off by the fact that you may be wrong. Precautions are crucial to keeping everybody safe, even if they are not all really a threat. So if you see something suspicious, report it right away!

8. Always use a licensed cab

Image source: Reddit

This piece of advice is so important. When you're in a licensed cab, it means that the cab has been issued by the local authority and the driver is certified. It also means that you know you are in a reputable taxi. If a cab drives by and offers you a lift, always say no. For one, it may not even be a taxi. And two, it's illegal and you could be putting yourself in an unsafe position riding with someone who isn't licensed.

10. Use a contactless card

Image source: Reddit

When you are paying for things, if you can, use contactless on your card. This way you are not inserting a pin that people can watch and copy. And, it means that you aren't getting your purse out and showing anybody watching that you have cash and money on you. It draws less attention to you and the fact that you have things that an opportunist may try and steal from you!

11. Take your headphones out and listen

Image source: Reddit

Having headphones in is a brilliant way to pass the time on public transport, listening to music or podcasts. But, it means that you aren't aware of what is going on around you, particularly when you're outside waiting or your transport to come or it's nighttime it may be a good idea to remove the headphones. This way, you can hear what is happening in your surroundings!

12. If you are scared, call someone and get them to meet you

Image source: Reddit

If you feel slightly uncomfortable on public transport and you're worried about getting off and being alone, give someone a ring and tell them to meet you. If it is somebody on the transport who is bothering you, even hearing your phone call may deter them. But then if somebody can meet you, it will help you feel, and be much safer when you are with someone.

13. Travel in the daytime

Image source: Reddit

Of course, we should feel safe enough and be safe enough to travel on transport whenever we like. But sadly, sometimes that is not the case, and in the nighttime, it can be more unsafe for people. If you are worried about being unsafe it may be much better to travel in the daytime so that you are in sight of other people and the areas that you are traveling will be much busier.

14. Carry hand sanitizer

Image source: Reddit

Another risk of public transport is, of course, catching diseases, illness, and germs, etc. Some people have continued to wear masks since the pandemic and use this as a general hygiene practice for public transport. Another super easy and more discreet way to protect yourself is just to carry a bottle of hand sanitizer to kill the germs before they manage to spread.

15. Wait in well-lit areas

Image source: Reddit

When you're waiting for public transport in the nighttime and darkness you can feel exposed and vulnerable. Especially when you're standing alone at a train stop or a bus stop you may feel very unsafe. One piece of advice to help stay safe on public transport is to stay and wait in well-lit areas so that you are visible to other people. You could even use a torch to help yourself be seen.

16. Don't give too much personal information away

Image source: Reddit

You may be on public transport and somebody starts chatting with you. If it's late, you're on your own, or you feel uneasy or uncomfortable then it's important to remove yourself from the situation and seek the help of the driver. If you are chatting, be sure not to give away information about yourself, such as where you live, or even which stop you are getting off at!

17. Let someone know about your journey

Image source: Reddit

If you're traveling, short or far, just let somebody know! This way someone knows you are on public transport and they can check if you get home safely. This is a super important at-night tune. To stay safe on public transport, make sure that you text someone reliable, somebody awake and preferably available where you are and how long your journey should take so that they know!

18. If someone is bothering you, move and sit next to someone else

Image source: Reddit

If someone starts to bother you, make sure that you move away from them. You can do it discreetly, even pretending you're getting off and then moving seats to somewhere further away from them. You could then tell the driver that you feel uncomfortable so that they can help you. Then, ring someone you know to let them meet you after your journey in case they get off at the same stop.

19. Don't lean on any doors

Image source: Reddit

This little tip is to protect your physical safety. When you are on public transport make sure that you are not leaning on any doors. When they open you could fall straight out. Sometimes when it is busy it is hard to find a space and you may find yourself pressed against a door. But make sure that you do not have your body weight leaning against it as it is not safe!

20. If you're alone, stay close to the driver

Image source: Reddit

If you're completely alone and want to be more safe, then sit close to the driver. This way, you are well in their view and people are less likely to bother you close to the driver as they can hear what is going on around them. They have backup and services that they can call if they see any trouble and so the best place to sit to stay super safe on public transport is right at the front.

21. Never accept a taxi that you haven't pre-booked

Image source: Reddit

All taxis should be pre-booked. Instead of flagging down a cab, pre-book it first so that you can ask what kind of car it is and what the registration is so that you know exactly which car it is you are getting into. Or, make sure that you are using a cab from a company you recognized, like a yellow cab. If you do not recognize the cab, then do not get into it as it could be unsafe for you.

22. Avoid wearing expensive items

Image source: Reddit

Yes, you absolutely should be able to wear your Prada bag and flaunt your expensive watch. But if you're looking to say safe on public transport it is a much better idea to take off your expensive gear and leave them at home so that they don't attract the attention of any thieves. So rather than clothe yourself in your most expensive designer gear, dressing discreetly can be a safer option.

23. Stay away from people who are too noisy or causing a commotion

Image source: Reddit

If you hear the commotion of any kind of some kind of chaos happening, make sure that you are well away from it. This way you can avoid unsafe situations or people. Sometimes on public transport, there is commotion, it may just be a loud and rowdy group or some people misbehaving due to being drunk for example, but it is good to keep clear of the situation.

24. Know who is around you

Image source: Reddit

One of the best ways to stay safe on public transport is to keep observing what and who is around you. This way if there is anything around you that could make you unsafe, or anything that seems amiss you have seen it and can be aware of it so that you can take the appropriate actions and stay clear. Watching and observing who is around you is a great way to help you keep safer.

25. Don't leave your bags

Image source: Reddit

Keep yourself and your possessions safe and don't let them out of our site. In fact, keep them with you at all times if possible, this way they are much more guaranteed to stay safe. Don't leave your bags because somebody could take them. And, if someone takes a bag with important documents or personal details then your personal safety is at risk, and you may never get your possessions back either.

26. Know the relevant emergency numbers

Image source: Reddit

We all know the main emergency numbers, but when you're on public transport there are relevant emergency numbers that you can ring for immediate or fast help. These numbers are there to help keep you safe and so when you get onto your transport, familiarize yourself with these numbers and take a picture so that you have them if you should ever need them!

27. Have a backup of coins

Image source: Reddit

Coins and cash are something that most of us just don't carry anymore. Yet they are useful. If we don't have our card or we forget the pin or our phone dies...you may have no way to get home! Plus, some transport services do not accept cards and if you need a ride home, an emergency stash of cash is a safe bet. Plus, if your phone died and you cannot call anyone for help, coins enable you to use a nearby telephone.

28. Take a portable charger

Image source: Reddit

One thing that we do not want when we're traveling is for our phones to die. No, not because we'll be sitting there bored unable to distract ourselves in the world of Tik Tok and social media. But because if we need help or to book a taxi home we won't be able to without a phone. So, if you are going on public transport take a portable charger just in case. And make sure that is fully charged!

29. Listen to the travel updates

Image source: Reddit

Travel updates ate there for a reason and if there are any changes that you need to know they will be announced at the station, or published on the live site. It's important to keep up to date with your travel in case the platform changes or in case something is going on that might make you unsafe. This is another reason to keep your earphones out of your ears for a while!

30. Get on and off at popular stops in the night

Image source: Reddit

Another easy way to stay safer on public transport is to get on and off transport stops that are busier. This again is even more important at night. Try not to get off at stops that are completely isolated or far from public spaces. If you get off at busy stops where people are around, it means that you can get help if you need it. And, you'll be visible for people to be able to see you.