New York City Threatens to Close Bus Line for Forcing Women to Sit in Back
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}New York City has threatened to shut down an Orthodox-run Brooklyn bus line if it doesn’t stop segregating its seats by making women sit at the back.
The Department of Transportation fired off a strongly worded letter to the owner of the B110 bus, reminding the company that all riders must be treated equal under the terms of its contract with the city.
“A practice of requiring women to ride in the back ... is not permitted on franchised buses,” the DOT letter to Private Transportation Corp. states.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}If the company continues to force women to the back, it “may lead to termination” of the operators’ franchise agreement with the city, the letter said.
The DOT also made it clear that it was not prepared to excuse Private Transportation -- which caters to Orthodox Jews but is open to the public -- on any religious grounds.
“No exception from ... these [anti-discrimination] requirements has been given to your company,” the letter states.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The DOT sent the letter after a Columbia Journalism School reporter and The Post reported on the bizarre policy.
In two separate instances, bus drivers told female reporters that they were not allowed to sit in the front, which was reserved for men only.
One furious B110 driver refused to drive until a female Post photographer changed seats in the half-empty bus.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Click here to read more on this story from the New York Post.