Public transport must be safe for all. Today, for many Muslim women, it is not.
Muslim Census in collaboration with Muslims in Rail, in support of Islamophobia Awareness Month, published the largest ever national study into Muslim experiences of public transport in Britain – and the findings are deeply alarming.
Read the full report here: muslimcensus.co.uk/muslim-safety-on-public-transport
Based on a nationally representative survey of 1,155 Muslims across the UK, the findings show clear safeguarding and security gaps:
Almost half of Muslim women (45.3%) feel unsafe on public transport, compared to just 8% of women nationwide.
1 in 3 Muslim Women have experienced Islamophobia or Racism firsthand whilst travelling
69.4% of Muslim women have changed their travel behaviour (routes, times, clothing or mode of transport) simply to feel safer
Only 12.5% of incidents are reported, and nearly 70% of those who reported felt their case wouldn’t be taken seriously
The abuse described in the report goes far beyond “feeling uncomfortable”.
Women shared accounts of:
• Verbal harassment, threats and filming without consent
• Violent assaults (e.g. punched in the face) and hijab-pulling
• Being spat at, followed, or targeted by groups of men
• Being subjected to racist taunts (such as “p*ki”) and “terrorist” stereotypes
• Intimidation during far-right demonstrations
During far-right protests or politically charged moments:
96.3% of Muslim women feel less safe
90.7% actively change their travel plans
These experiences are not isolated; they point to wider safety issues across the UK’s transport network. This report highlights the need to accelerate and strengthen the efforts to address them.
We are calling on:
Transport authorities (Transport for London, Network Rail), operators, British Transport Police and policymakers (Department for Transport (DfT), United Kingdom) to urgently deliver:
Stronger safety measures on public transport
Better reporting and victim support systems
Mandatory training on Islamophobia and bystander intervention
Clear accountability on hate incidents and outcomes
Ongoing engagement with Muslim communities and workers
Rapid improvements on faulty security and safety mitigations i.e. CCTV
Public transport is essential for work, education and daily life.
Violence against women or girls – of any faith or none – is wrong and must be stopped.
No one should have to alter their identity, routes or routines just to feel safe on our transport system.