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YEG Bus Rider
Active Member
In Edmonton, safety on the public transit system is a growing concern
As the city continues to sprawl and grow at an unprecedented rate, the future of public transportation is a crucial issue
www.theglobeandmail.com
David A
Senior Member
I have mixed feelings about this getting such national coverage as I don't feel this problem is unique to us, which in fairness the article does indicate.In Edmonton, safety on the public transit system is a growing concern
As the city continues to sprawl and grow at an unprecedented rate, the future of public transportation is a crucial issue
Oddly it sort of seems to portray this as a recent problem, when in fact it has been a problem for several years now.
Hopefully wider public embarrassment will cause the city to take this more seriously and take more effective action. As the article indicates security guards were often ineffective.
Kosy123
Senior Member
It's kinda odd, gotta agree with you on that. Weirdly I think we've been facing these issues for a few years that we've plateaued and started improving slowly compared to other systems.
In terms of coverage, I'd argue we're no longer in the spotlight. Sadly that goes to Montreal now. The Montreal Metro has had some bad coverage and metrics the last few months to the point that only 52% of riders have a strong sense of safety when riding, which is actually insane.
constance_chlore
Active Member
Honestly, the Montreal Metro's big enduring advantage over the LRT is that it's cleaner. I opt to walk or bike rather than take the LRT quite often, and it's not nearly so much because I think I'm going to get assaulted as because it smells like piss.
David A
Senior Member
I realize its hard to keep up, but I feel the city has been as effective with keeping it clean as with the security guards. Past approaches taken needs to be revisited.
Where I go, it mostly seems clean, but some of the stairwells do smell badly and have for a long time.
trevorhayden
Active Member
Yea, most of the problems could be solved by hiring cleaners always devoted to specific stations. Probably cheaper than hiring more police.
MacLac
Senior Member
Exactly! Throw 1-2 old timers in each station. Thusly those stations belong to “Old Joe or Tom.” The same faces day in/day out. Transit riders and Fentanyl using scumbags alike will know that “Corona station” is ‘Ol Joes and will be hesitant to “sully or burden” the station with their urine/vomit and/or refuse. No different than any other public locale with the same service faces
trevorhayden
Active Member
I mean....maybe??
northlands
Senior Member
University station used to actually have that—old fella working there as a cleaner you’d see daily. Took real pride in his work and it was always really clean. Easy to recognize cause he constantly had his hair dyed in a funky colour.
Anyone know who I’m talking about? Sadly I heard he was assaulted on the job so no idea if he still works there (haven’t been to uni station much since pre-covid)
Anyone know who I’m talking about? Sadly I heard he was assaulted on the job so no idea if he still works there (haven’t been to uni station much since pre-covid)
CplKlinger
Senior Member
I know exactly who you're talking about, I always loved the Christmas decorations he'd have on his floor cleaner. I think it was a little tree? I actually saw him get off at University Station today!
Kosy123
Senior Member
There's pretty active enforcement at Churchill and Central stations with TPOs and EPS stationed. They scan trains when they stop (I've even heard the driver use the loud mic to tell them which car to check) and I've seen multiple people being fined and arrested.
Not sure what the experience is for others who take the LRT in this site and in other stations, but security presence is noticeable and super visible, which I think is the point. If they keep this up, perception is going to improve by a ton.
Not sure what the experience is for others who take the LRT in this site and in other stations, but security presence is noticeable and super visible, which I think is the point. If they keep this up, perception is going to improve by a ton.
Glenco
Senior Member
Last week I was on a train when four officers got on to check fares. This was the first time in over two years. They only checked to see if people had ARC cards they didn’t check to see if people actually paid. Otherwise my experience has been pretty similar.
thommyjo
Senior Member
Good. Make it annoying for anyone not behaving to be there. Transit has to be the worst place to do drugs and be idiots if we’re going to stop that behaviour. Harass anyone breaking bylaws/laws
Edmcowboy11
Senior Member
I think too if only we can see a constant cleanliness up keep at the stations, meaning staff there doing their job, but also another set of eyes would be great. The busier the stations the less and less that we'll see drug users who would rather not be seen by many..