In the early hours of Monday, March 2, a passenger on an Edmonton transit vehicle was the victim of an assault while passing through Churchill Station en route to the Valley Line LRT. The individual later informed Transit Watch, the safety reporting line of Edmonton Transit Services, that they had been punched in the face during the incident. The rider explained that they did not report the incident immediately as their priority was to leave the area and return home.
On the same day, Transit Watch received multiple reports from riders regarding various safety concerns, including harassment, open drug use, drug transactions, a fire set at a bus stop, and an individual wielding a flame lighter inside a transit center. Despite ongoing efforts by the City of Edmonton to enhance public transit safety by increasing the presence of peace and police officers, expanding outreach teams, and investing in cleanliness and security upgrades, text messages sent to Transit Watch earlier this year revealed persistent worries about safety among many riders.
Reports sent via text messages between mid-February and mid-March, obtained by CBC News through an Access to Information Act request, highlighted recurring issues such as drug use and smoking in LRT stations, bus stops, and pedways. Riders expressed concerns about being exposed to illegal drugs and encountering unstable individuals during their daily commutes. Incidents of meth, crack, and fentanyl usage on transit premises were reported, along with instances of harassment and verbal abuse directed at passengers. Additionally, riders mentioned witnessing drug deals, discovering drug paraphernalia, and encountering disruptive behaviors like urination, screaming, and obstruction of pathways.
Various safety concerns were raised, including finding a used condom in a ticket machine, pools of blood in transit stations, fires in transit areas, broken glass, altercations on trains, and threats of violence at specific LRT stations. Katarina Hamilton, a frequent transit user, reported contacting Transit Watch approximately once a month and highlighted incidents of individuals obstructing entrances and lighting fires, particularly during late-night hours. Hamilton recalled witnessing a violent altercation involving weapons at Central Station and emphasized the importance of having more peace officers and security cameras on buses to improve transit safety.
Despite efforts to address safety concerns, surveys conducted by ETS indicated that the percentage of riders feeling safe during their transit trips remained unchanged at 61% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, ETS’s branch manager, acknowledged the challenges in altering perceptions of safety quickly, noting an increase in text messages to Transit Watch during colder months. Data from the Edmonton Police Service revealed a rise in violent incidents at LRT and transit center locations in recent years.
To enhance safety on public transit, ETS is implementing various measures, including the addition of peace officers and community outreach teams. Initiatives such as providing cellular connectivity in LRT tunnels, strengthening rider outreach, offering travel training support, and making infrastructure upgrades aim to bolster perceptions of safety. City council members, including Coun. Anne Stevenson, emphasized the importance of addressing root causes of social disorder and supporting initiatives like safety attendants to enhance transit safety.
In addressing drug-related issues on public transit, transit planning consultant David Cooper highlighted the challenges faced by cities across North America and emphasized the need for sustained support from government partners. Cooper commended Edmonton’s efforts in hiring additional staff, investing in cleaning, and improving station design but stressed the importance of ongoing collaboration to tackle the complex issue.