In the early hours of Monday, March 2, an Edmonton transit passenger was attacked while passing through Churchill Station en route to the Valley Line LRT. The passenger later informed Transit Watch, the safety reporting line of Edmonton Transit Services, that they had been struck in the face by an assailant. The passenger explained that they delayed reporting the incident because their priority was to leave the area and reach home quickly.
On the same day, Transit Watch received multiple reports from passengers regarding various issues such as harassment, drug use, drug transactions, a fire ignited at a bus stop, and an individual brandishing a flame lighter inside a transit hub. Despite ongoing efforts by the City of Edmonton to enhance safety on public transit by increasing the presence of peace officers and police, expanding outreach teams, and investing in cleaning and security enhancements, text messages sent to Transit Watch earlier this year indicate persistent safety concerns among riders.
CBC News obtained copies of text messages sent to Transit Watch between mid-February and mid-March through a request made under the Access to Information Act. These messages, comprising over 200 pages, revealed a continuous influx of reports from various locations across the city.
Drug-related issues emerged as a primary concern among the reports, with many highlighting instances of drug usage and smoking at LRT stations, bus stops, and pedways. Passengers reported encounters with individuals using substances like meth, crack, and fentanyl on transit premises, as well as incidents of harassment and verbal abuse stemming from drug-induced behavior.
Furthermore, riders expressed discomfort over witnessing drug deals, discovering drug paraphernalia, observing disruptive behavior like public urination and disturbances, and encountering unsafe situations such as finding hazardous items in public spaces.
Katarina Hamilton, a regular transit rider, disclosed that she frequently contacts Transit Watch, particularly noting incidents of individuals obstructing entrances and starting fires, especially during late hours. Hamilton recounted an incident from a year ago where she witnessed a violent altercation at Central Station involving weapons, prompting her to report the incident to Transit Watch and the police out of concern for her safety and that of nearby children.
Despite efforts by Edmonton Transit Services to gauge rider perceptions of safety through annual surveys, the percentage of passengers feeling secure during their transit journeys remained stagnant at 61% in 2025, compared to the previous year. Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, ETS’s branch manager, acknowledged the complexity of influencing safety perceptions in a short timeframe, attributing the increased contact with Transit Watch during colder months to heightened awareness campaigns and rising ridership.
Data from the Edmonton Police Service indicated a rise in calls to address violent incidents at LRT and transit center locations, increasing from 292 in 2024 to 307 in 2025, although calls in the current year have shown a decrease from the previous year.
To enhance passenger safety, ETS is enacting various measures, such as augmenting peace officer numbers and expanding community outreach initiatives. Ward O’Day-Min Coun. Anne Stevenson emphasized the council’s commitment to transit safety, highlighting initiatives like pop-up events organized by the Edmonton Arts Council to revitalize downtown LRT stations and the potential introduction of safety attendants.
Addressing the underlying causes of social disorder, including homelessness and lack of addiction treatment, remains a challenge for city officials. Efforts to improve safety are ongoing, with the recent provincial announcement of additional funding for housing and drug treatment support being welcomed as a step in the right direction.
