I always sit in the car with the most people and if there's a conductor or some other employee of the train as close as possible , I don't know how your trains are set up though. I was kick in the back of the head going to work once. I worked the over night shift and even having a few other passengers in the car didn't stop the person, I think his plan was to knock me out and god knows what else, but luckily I got a thick  skull

You did good, Grace.

I would have been terrified and shaking. Probably would have taken out my phone and dialed all but the last number to emergency.

The weird thing was that they weren't even looking at me so I don't know if they were being incredibly passive aggressive (unlikely!) or it was a bizarre coincidence. I guess it's the first time I've come across a group of people actively discussing trans people in a derogatory way. All I could do was shake my head and hope they didn't realise I was sitting "nonchalantly" three feet from them. 

Sorry to say Grace, that is one situation I'd avoid entirely. And I suggest you do too.

Even with those 'protection officers' in Melbourne and Sydney, public transport after 8pm or so is just abhorrent. Maybe I would go with a group with friends, but otherwise absolutely not. I've seen too many terrible things on trains at night pre transition. Heck, it can be even be worrisome on public transport at 6am.

Sadly sometimes I have no choice - it's either that or go home at 5pm and stay indoors as trains and buses (and bummed lifts) are my only way around.

Late at night is weird because you never really know who's about - often it's pretty quiet but yeah, it's good to stay away from those you gauge are "trouble".

There's not a lot you can do on your own in that sort of situation other than keep your wits about you. Some people just like to hang around, talk loudly and see who they can offend. There's no real skills required to be a full time "piece of work" - just a strange "joy" in making others miserable. These people are best avoided at all costs.

You did well and kept your cool.

I think I would have done the same thing. Definetly need to pick your battles and ensure you have an adequate arsenal to fight them too. Before I came out I would go to a gay bar with my brother and his bf who works in politics. Let's say he has strong labor views and would speak up often about social justice matters. Outside of the gay bar it got us into all sorts of trouble and me and my brother were always left to clean up the mess. So I'm thinking that back then my muscle was a little more, how should we say, strong! Now I wouldn't like to find myself in any sort of altercation with men, I would get eaten alive.