New York City Bus Makes Women Ride In The Back

Posted: October 19, 2011

B110 Bus

If you’re a female and you happen to hop on the B110 bus in Brooklyn you’ll likely feel as if you just stepped into a middle east controlled region of the world, that’s because that particular city bus requires that women ride in the back and men ride upfront.

While the B110 bus is open to the public under an agreement with the city the actual vehicle is operated by a private company that services two Hasidic neighborhoods. Under Hasidic rules physical contact in public between the sexes is not allowed and therefore they are separated whenever possible.

New York World tested the bus by asking a female passenger to ride on its route and almost immediately she was ordered to the back of the bus by male passengers.

The Department of Transportation upon hearing about the blatant discrimination said “This is a private company, but it is a public service,” while adding “The company has to comply with all applicable laws.”

The city is in the process of discussing the buses rules with the vehicles private contractor and the practice is expected to come to an end soon.

Do you think it was right for a religious group to operate under the disguise of a public entity while blatantly discriminating against a large portion of their potential passengers.

Category: News
Tags : bus, Hasidic, New York City, women's rights
Posted: October 19, 2011

By James Johnson

More Posts By James Johnson

Comments

7 Archived Responses to “ New York City Bus Makes Women Ride In The Back ”

Jeffrey Blatt
Oct 19, 2011

Of course this is not right in the United States. No where, no how can religious beliefs be forced upon the general population. What's next, allowing multiple wives because it is how the Old Country does it?
Andy Speaks
Oct 19, 2011

In Israel we are struggling with the same problem in areas having a high density of Ultra-Orthodox Jews. A few years ago the national bus line designated certain routes would have male/female segregation.

Eventually this was challenged in the High Court. The Court ruled that separation was illegal and the bus company must not continue the policy. However, it also stated that it had no objection to the separation if it was voluntary and not.
coerced. It allowed 12 months for the "voluntary "experiment and there are still a few months to go.

A group of women decided on a sort of "vigilante"approach and test the routes from time to time.
The ban on segregation is only partially enforced, in reality.

Proving intimidation is difficult and drivers are loath to interfere. Also the Haredim apply all forms of blackmail to the bus company regarding it's entire network, and there is some evidence that the company gives way, unofficially.

There are parts of Israel in which the Middle Ages are alive and well!
Choni Teitelbaum
Oct 19, 2011

As a hassidic jew I completely disagree with this practice. However this is not forcing beliefs on the population being that it's a private route, and the riders, especially the women, choose to sit separately. It's not about front or back, it's about separate. There are other such busses that have it split down the middle but I guess this group doesn't think that that is separate enough. (Disclaimer: Like I said, I don't agree with this kind of segregation, I'm just pointing out that it's not motivated by discrimination. note, men can't sit in the rear section either).
Vincent Koo
Oct 19, 2011

The title is misleading… It wasn't a New York City Bus that makes women ride in the back.. it is the hassidic jews and their belief… it was a hassidic jew that told the woman to sit in the back.