In the early hours of Monday, March 2, a commuter using Edmonton’s public transit system was physically attacked while passing through Churchill Station to board the Valley Line LRT. The individual later informed Transit Watch, a safety reporting service by Edmonton Transit Services, that they had been struck in the face during the incident.
The commuter explained in a message that they delayed reporting the assault as they simply wanted to leave the scene and return home quickly. On the same day, Transit Watch received multiple reports from riders detailing instances of harassment, drug use in public, drug transactions, a fire set at a bus stop, and a person brandishing a flame lighter inside a transit hub.
Over the years, the City of Edmonton has made efforts to enhance safety on its public transportation network by recruiting more peace officers and police personnel, expanding outreach teams, and increasing investments in cleanliness and security enhancements. Despite these measures, text messages sent to Transit Watch during a one-month period earlier this year indicate ongoing apprehensions among many commuters regarding safety issues within the system.
Reports obtained by CBC News through an Access to Information Act request, covering a span from mid-February to mid-March, highlighted numerous concerns raised by riders, with a significant focus on drug-related activities, particularly drug use and smoking in various transit locations.
Many reports underscored encounters with individuals using illegal substances like meth, crack, and fentanyl on transit premises. Instances of verbal abuse, including antisemitic remarks and hateful language directed towards passengers, were also documented. Concerns about exposure to drug paraphernalia, witnessing drug deals, disruptive behaviors like urinating in public, and obstructing pathways were frequently mentioned in the texts.
Furthermore, riders expressed unease about safety hazards such as fires, broken glass, physical altercations, and even threats of violence at different transit spots. The need for improved security measures, such as more peace officers and enhanced surveillance through additional security cameras on buses, was emphasized by regular transit user Katarina Hamilton, who frequently contacts Transit Watch to report incidents she witnesses during her travels.
Despite ongoing efforts to address safety concerns on Edmonton’s transit system, perceptions of safety among riders have remained largely unchanged, with ETS surveys indicating consistent levels of perceived safety during transit trips. The statement from Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, ETS’s branch manager, highlighted the complex nature of shaping safety perceptions and noted increased engagement with Transit Watch during colder months, coinciding with a rise in text reports year over year.
Data from the Edmonton Police Service revealed a slight uptick in the number of violent incidents requiring police intervention at LRT stations and transit centers from 2024 to 2025. However, calls for police assistance in the current year have shown a decrease compared to the previous year.
To address safety concerns and enhance rider confidence, ETS is implementing various initiatives, including the addition of more peace officers and community outreach teams. Measures such as providing cellular connectivity in LRT tunnels, increasing rider engagement, offering travel training support, and enhancing infrastructure security are among the strategies aimed at improving safety perceptions on transit.
City council members, including Ward O’Day-Min Coun. Anne Stevenson, emphasized the significance of transit safety and highlighted ongoing initiatives to promote safety on public transportation. Efforts such as pop-up events at downtown LRT stations and the potential introduction of safety attendants were mentioned as part of broader strategies to address safety challenges stemming from social disorder issues.
As cities globally tackle public transit safety concerns related to drug use, experts like David Cooper from Leading Mobility Consulting stress the need for sustained support and collaborative efforts between different levels of government. Cooper’s research and recommendations underscore the importance of multifaceted approaches, including increased enforcement, cleanliness, and design modifications in transit spaces to deter criminal activities.
While cities like Edmonton have taken steps to enhance safety measures, long-term commitments and partnerships with provincial and federal entities are seen as essential in navigating the complex landscape of transit safety and addressing underlying social issues contributing to safety challenges.
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