How safe is public transportation?

We’re moving to an area of town with close access to MetroRail and then also buses. I love the planet and hate driving, but how safe is public transportation? We travel a lot and always use public transportation in different places so I’m not “new” at it but it seems like a see a lot of news reports of violence on buses or bus stops. If it’s relevant, I’m a petite mid 40s white lady.