Commuter rail to NYC-safe or not?

OK, so I have a girlfriend who is planning on studying in New York. She wants to live in the city primarily because she does not feel that living, say, in New Jersey and commuting into the city is safe. She has heard lots of horror stories about people and especially women who are alone getting raped, murdered, mugged, etc. on the train. I insist that thousands commute to NYC every day with no problem. Furthermore, my father thinks there should not be a problem if she sticks to popular departure times.

What do you guys know about the safety or lack thereof of commuter rail to NYC?

I would say they are generally safe, especially at rush hours for commuters, where they are so packed I don't think any of these types of crimes could take place without being noticed and perp captured.

Even traveling off hours I doubt the chance of a person being injured by someone on commuter rail would be higher than the same person making the same journey by car.

[edit on 6/29/2007 by djohnsto77]

I don't know how similar that system is to our BART, but there are rarely attacks on the trains.

The problems arise when people (usually women) leave the station at night unescorted. There are ways to protect yourself on a train, such as sitting in the car right next to the driver and carrying (and having ready) pepper spray.

Originally posted by MajorMalfunction
I don't know how similar that system is to our BART, but there are rarely attacks on the trains.

The problems arise when people (usually women) leave the station at night unescorted. There are ways to protect yourself on a train, such as sitting in the car right next to the driver and carrying (and having ready) pepper spray.

So what's a woman to do when leaving the station alone at nite?

Don't. That's basically it.

It's not realistic, but that's what you do. During times a serial rapist was stalking women, their BFs or husbands came for them at night.

Or, as I mentioned, pepper spray (or a stun gun) in hand, ready to use, are the best options.