In the early hours of Monday, March 2, a commuter using Edmonton transit was physically attacked while passing through Churchill Station en route to the Valley Line LRT. The rider later informed Transit Watch, Edmonton Transit Services’ safety reporting line, stating, “They struck me in the face.” The rider expressed delaying the report due to the immediate desire to leave the scene and return home.
On the same day, Transit Watch received various reports from riders, including instances of harassment, open drug use, drug transactions, lighting of fires at a bus stop, and an individual brandishing a flame lighter inside a transit center. Despite the City of Edmonton’s ongoing efforts to enhance public transit safety by increasing the presence of peace and police officers, expanding outreach teams, and investing in cleaning and security upgrades, text messages sent to the reporting line earlier this year indicate persistent safety concerns among many riders.
Reports obtained by CBC News through an Access to Information Act request revealed a stream of incoming texts between mid-February and mid-March, highlighting recurring worries about drug use and smoking at LRT stations, bus stops, and pedways. Riders expressed distress over encountering individuals consuming meth, crack, and fentanyl on transit premises, facing harassment from drug-affected individuals, and witnessing antisemitic remarks and hateful behavior. Concerns were also raised about drug dealing activities, drug paraphernalia, public urination, disruptive behavior, and safety hazards like broken glass and blood stains at various transit locations.
Frequent transit user Katarina Hamilton disclosed her monthly communication with Transit Watch, citing instances of individuals blocking entrances, starting fires, especially during late hours, and recalling a past violent altercation at Central Station. Hamilton emphasized the need for more peace officers and increased surveillance on buses to enhance passenger safety.
Despite Edmonton Transit Service’s annual rider surveys on safety perceptions showing a consistent 61% feeling of safety during transit trips in 2025, ETS Branch Manager Carrie Hotton-MacDonald highlighted the challenge of swiftly altering safety perceptions due to various influencing factors. She noted an increase in texts to Transit Watch during colder months and cited a rise in police responses to violent incidents at LRT and transit center locations from 292 in 2024 to 307 in 2025.
In an effort to bolster rider confidence in transit safety, ETS is rolling out initiatives such as deploying additional peace officers and expanding community outreach teams. Councilor Anne Stevenson emphasized the city council’s focus on transit safety, highlighting initiatives like pop-up events to revitalize downtown LRT stations and the introduction of safety attendants. However, addressing the root causes of social disorder remains a persistent challenge.
David Cooper, a transit and transportation planning consultant, underscored the widespread issue of public transit drug use across North American cities. He commended Edmonton’s efforts in enacting his safety recommendations, emphasizing the need for sustained support from provincial and federal partners to combat the issue effectively. Cooper stressed the importance of continuous investment in safety measures to prevent regression in progress made.
Through ongoing collaboration and sustained efforts, Edmonton aims to create a safer and more secure public transit environment for commuters.