In the early hours of Monday, March 2, a commuter in Edmonton was attacked while traveling through Churchill Station en route to the Valley Line LRT. The rider disclosed in a text message to Transit Watch, Edmonton Transit Services’ safety reporting line, that they were assaulted with a punch to the face. The rider explained their delayed report, stating they just wanted to leave the scene and return home quickly.
On the same day, Transit Watch received various reports from riders concerning harassment, drug use in public, drug transactions, a fire ignited at a bus stop, and an individual brandishing a flame lighter within a transit hub. 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 more in cleaning and security enhancements, text messages sent to the reporting line within a month earlier this year indicated persistent concerns among riders regarding safety on the transit system.
CBC News obtained these text messages sent between mid-February and mid-March through an Access to Information Act request, revealing a continuous influx of reports from diverse areas of the city.
Drug use emerged as a primary worry among riders, with reports highlighting instances of drug consumption and smoking at LRT stations, bus stops, and pedestrian walkways. Texters described encounters with individuals using substances like meth, crack, and fentanyl on transit premises. Incidents of harassment, including verbal abuse towards passengers, were also reported, reflecting a troubling trend of safety issues within the transit system.
Commuters expressed discomfort over witnessing drug deals, discovering drug-related items, encountering individuals engaging in inappropriate behavior, and encountering hazardous materials in transit spaces. These incidents, ranging from drug-related activities to violent threats and vandalism, underscore the ongoing safety challenges faced by transit users.
Katarina Hamilton, a frequent transit user, shared her experiences with Transit Watch, highlighting instances of disturbances and confrontations she encountered during her commutes. She emphasized the need for increased security measures, such as more peace officers and enhanced surveillance, to ensure a safer transit environment.
Despite efforts to address safety concerns, surveys conducted by ETS showed that the percentage of riders feeling safe during their transit trips remained stagnant at 61% in 2025. Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, ETS’s branch manager, acknowledged the complexity of shaping riders’ safety perceptions and noted a rise in texts to Transit Watch during colder months, alongside an increase in ridership and safety line promotion.
Data from the Edmonton Police Service indicated a rise in police responses to violent incidents at LRT and transit center locations from 292 times in 2024 to 307 times in 2025, with a decrease in calls recorded this year compared to the previous year.
To address safety concerns, ETS is implementing various initiatives, including the addition of peace officers and community outreach teams, enhancing infrastructure, and conducting rider engagement activities. City council members like Coun. Anne Stevenson highlighted ongoing efforts to improve transit safety through collaborations with organizations like the Edmonton Arts Council and initiatives like safety attendants.
The issue of public transit safety, particularly regarding drug-related incidents, poses a shared challenge for cities across North America. Experts like David Cooper have emphasized the importance of sustained support from government partners to address underlying social issues contributing to safety concerns on public transit systems. Cooper’s recommendations align with Edmonton’s actions to bolster enforcement, outreach, and infrastructure improvements to deter criminal activities on public transit.
Moving forward, continued collaboration and long-term commitments from all levels of government are essential to sustain efforts aimed at enhancing public transit safety and addressing the root causes of social disorder that impact riders’ experiences.