For several years, the female subway driver, who in this case is called “Karin”, has worn Amnesty’s rainbow-colored bracelets.
She has worn the bracelet both during and outside working hours, to show support for the queer movement.
On night shift earlier this week, Karin experienced something she will soon forget. She believes the bracelet was the triggering factor for the incident, which is said to have begun when a group of boys came on board the train on Tuesday night.
– “Karin” has not stopped using the bracelet after the incident. Photo: Frode Sunde / TV 2
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– They shouted “gay bastard” at me, and started knocking on the door towards the cab, she tells TV 2.
Karin wants to be anonymous in this case – TV 2 is familiar with her identity.
Hell by accident
Karin describes that at the same time as the boys knocked on the door, the alarm for emergency communication rang inside the cab.
– I was really scared. At one point, I realized that it was not many minutes before they came to me, she says.
According to Karin, the boy gang seemed determined to get into the cab. Therefore, she saw no other solution than to summon the management.
– Fortunately, we have close communication with our traffic managers. They got guards right away.
The guards searched the total of six carriages without success.
– They had probably left the train. I think they realized that something was up, since the subway stood still for a while, she says.
The incident shocked the subway driver, and she describes herself as shaking for the rest of the night shift.
Must end
Political deputy in Fri Oslo and Viken, Jan Elisabeth Lindvik, is shocked when he hears about the situation on the subway.
– It’s absolutely awful. It is clear that the prejudices are deep, says to TV 2.
Despite what Lindvik describes as a reprehensible act, this is not the first time Fri has become acquainted with similar stories.
Hen therefore questions whether the next step must be continuous police protection and guard duty.
– RESPONDS STRONGLY: Jan Elisabeth Lindvik totally distances herself from such incidents. Photo: Karoline Frogner.
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– This must be stopped, otherwise we get a society we do not want, he says and adds:
– The only thing we ask for is that everyone must be allowed to be themselves, and be allowed to love whoever they want. Instead, we risk being met with hatred, punches, kicks and threats.
Lindvik encourages the public to react if one witnesses such hatred. At the same time, he is concerned that one should not expose oneself to being injured.
– Rare case
Karin can not say for sure that Tuesday’s incident on the subway was a hate crime, or just a group of boys who wanted to be tough. But when she showed up for work the next day, her nerves were still in her body.
– I must admit that I, at least through the center, have sat with my hand with the bracelet in my pocket on the way to the platforms, she says.
– GOOD ROUTINES: Ina Helen Østby, Head of Communications at Sporveien, talks about well-established routines for employee safety. Photo: Simen Prestaasen / Sporveien
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Sporveien’s communications manager, Ina Helen Østby points out that they have routines in place to ensure that both travelers and employees are safe.
– I am not familiar with this specific incident, but fortunately this is something we experience relatively rarely, says Østby and continues:
– We have a good dialogue with the police and relate to them and current national recommendations. This is to ensure that it feels safe for our employees and also for the travelers, says Sporveien’s communications manager Ina Helen Østby.
After the terrorist attack in Oslo on Saturday night, an offer of help was also set up for Sporveien’s employees.
– Our main focus is that it should be safe for our employees to go to work.
Karin is very grateful to her workplace:
– I will not let people who behave like those boys crack me up.
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