In the early hours of Monday, March 2, a passenger on an Edmonton transit bus was physically assaulted while passing through Churchill Station en route to the Valley Line LRT. The rider shared in a subsequent text to Transit Watch, the safety reporting line of Edmonton Transit Services, that they had been struck in the face during the incident. The passenger delayed reporting the assault as they prioritized leaving the area and returning home promptly.
On the same day, Transit Watch received multiple reports from passengers detailing incidents of harassment, drug use in public, drug transactions, lighting fires at bus stops, and individuals brandishing a flame lighter inside a transit facility. The City of Edmonton has been actively working to enhance safety on public transit by increasing the presence of peace and police officers, expanding outreach teams, and investing more in cleaning and security enhancements.
Despite these efforts, text messages sent to the reporting line within a one-month timeframe earlier this year indicate ongoing apprehensions among riders regarding safety within the transit system. CBC News obtained these text messages, submitted between mid-February and mid-March, through an Access to Information Act request. The extensive documents, spanning over 200 pages, showcase daily reports from various locations across the city.
A recurring concern highlighted in many of the reports revolves around drug use and smoking observed at LRT stations, bus stops, and pedestrian walkways. Riders expressed dismay over being exposed to illegal drugs and encountering individuals under the influence of substances, such as meth, crack, and fentanyl, on transit premises. Instances of harassment, verbal abuse, and discriminatory remarks fueled by drug intoxication were also documented in the texts.
Passengers reported witnessing drug-related activities like deals, drug paraphernalia, public urination, disturbances, and obstructions. Some shared unsettling encounters, such as discovering hazardous items like used condoms in transit spaces. Additionally, incidents of physical altercations, vandalism, and threats were disclosed, including the presence of blood, fires, broken glass, and violent behavior within transit locations.
Regular transit rider Katarina Hamilton, who communicates with Transit Watch approximately once a month, recounted her observations of disruptive behaviors like fire-setting and obstruction, particularly during late-night and early-morning hours. She recounted a past incident involving a violent altercation at Central Station, emphasizing the need for increased security measures, such as more peace officers and enhanced surveillance systems on buses, to foster a sense of security for commuters.
Despite efforts to address safety concerns, ETS surveys conducted annually reveal a consistent perception of safety among transit riders. The percentage of passengers feeling safe throughout their last transit journey remained unchanged at 61% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, ETS’s branch manager, acknowledged the complexity of shaping riders’ safety perceptions and noted an increase in texts to Transit Watch during colder months, paralleling the rise in ridership and safety line promotion.
In response to the escalating challenges, ETS is rolling out various initiatives to bolster rider safety, such as deploying additional peace officers and expanding community outreach teams. Efforts include enhancing cellular connectivity in LRT tunnels, engaging more with riders, offering travel training support, and enhancing infrastructure at stations. City council members, including Coun. Anne Stevenson, emphasized the community’s commitment to addressing transit safety issues through initiatives like pop-up events and safety personnel.
As discussions around transit safety evolve, stakeholders like Coun. Jon Morgan and transit expert David Cooper underscore the need for comprehensive approaches to tackle issues of drug use and safety on public transit. Cooper’s research and recommendations emphasize the importance of sustained support from all levels of government to effectively address social disorder and safety concerns within transit systems.
