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LRT Safety

I wonder if this is the result of Jaywalking because of the beg buttons. Personally I think the city has done an incredible disservice on compliance when people are given the choice of waiting 3ish minutes to cross the street after hitting the button because its not automatic or jaywalking.
 
devobersver said:
I wonder if this is the result of Jaywalking because of the beg buttons. Personally I think the city has done an incredible disservice on compliance when people are given the choice of waiting 3ish minutes to cross the street after hitting the button because its not automatic or jaywalking.
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Jaywalking is an art form something I learned growing up in London. Stepping in front of a tram because you think you are hard done by isn’t part of it.
 
dkazzed said:
Some crossings like 99 St at 102 Ave are terrible, easily wait 3 minutes there. The pedestrian crossings at Strathearn aren't bad, but they still invite the temptation of non-compliance.
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I understand good old fashioned jay walking can be a protest against and response to how transportation planning so often badly ignores and neglects pedestrians.

It is no fun waiting and standing for a light to change, especially when it is very cold or otherwise unpleasant out, but for goodness sake look both ways and make sure it is safe to go before you do.
 
City of Edmonton to discuss new Transit Peace Officer deployment
January 6, 2026

Media are invited to attend a coffee chat with David Jones, Chief Bylaw Enforcement Officer and Branch Manager, Community Standards, to learn more about the City of Edmonton’s expanded Transit Peace Officer (TPO) deployment and the broader safety and security initiatives underway across the transit network.

Chief Jones will be available to discuss priorities for the Community Standards Branch, the deployment of new TPOs and how these officers support safer, more welcoming transit spaces for riders.

Date: Wednesday, January 7
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Location: Media Room, Second Floor, City Hall

Please RSVP by 4 p.m. on January 6.
Media contact:
Jyllian Park
Communications Advisor
Community Services
 
Well one of my little experiences this evening (January 6th) the platform level at Davies that had limited access and no heat was empty of individuals lingering, but as I was going down the elevator and we passed the second floor I could see clearly one or two individuals that were definitely not waiting for the next train, they were there to spend as much time there as possible in the warmth.
I still remember when all the stations had their turn styles/pass gates. I too advocate for the return of fare pass gates. Also if each station platform had even just one custodian and one Peace officer or maybe more specifically a station conductor as I now have seen they have in the Philippines and in Japan. With restricted access to the platforms the amount of Staffing in that area is not as much which would then overall allow peace officers and/or police officers to focus more on some of the entrances at street level to maintain more order starting at the entrances.
 
City of Edmonton deploys additional Transit Peace Officers to enhance transit safety
January 7, 2026

The City of Edmonton is expanding its uniformed safety presence across the Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) with the deployment of additional Transit Peace Officers (TPOs) in 2026. The enhanced staffing follows City Council’s direction in April 2025 to add 30 officers to support safer, more secure transit experiences for riders.

The first 15 TPOs will deploy this January, followed by a second cohort later in the year. All 30 new officers will be in service by July 2026, bringing the total number of TPOs patrolling buses, LRT and transit stations to 126.

“These new officers will make a meaningful difference for riders,” said David Jones, Chief Bylaw Enforcement Officer and Branch Manager, Community Standards. “Increasing our Transit Peace Officer presence means more proactive patrols, more opportunities for public engagement, better partnering with the EPS, and a greater ability to respond quickly when concerns arise.”

Transit Peace Officers are highly trained, uniformed professionals who patrol ETS vehicles, LRT stations and transit centres 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They support rider safety, provide assistance and promote fare compliance. TPOs have the authority to enforce municipal bylaws and provincial legislation, and can intervene in certain criminal incidents.

TPOs use handheld devices to verify proof of payment by scanning Arc cards, tickets, credit or debit cards and digital wallets. The devices confirm whether a valid fare has been paid within the 90-minute fare window.

The City’s enforcement approach follows the “4Es” model: Engage, Educate, Encourage and Enforce. This model ensures officers prioritize conversations, guidance and problem-solving before moving to enforcement actions.

The enhanced TPO complement is expected to strengthen enforcement efforts, increase proactive intervention and help reduce high-priority incidents on transit.

The City provides additional support to help keep transit spaces safe and comfortable, including Community Outreach Transit Teams (COTT), which pair TPOs with outreach workers from the Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society; and Community Safety Liaisons, who support community-led, prevention-focused efforts in transit spaces.

The City implements several security measures across the transit network, including:
  • 24/7 Monitoring: More than 1,000 security cameras are monitored around the clock by the ETS Control Centre.
  • Transit Watch: Riders can connect with the Control Centre by calling or texting 780-442-4900.
  • Emergency phones: Blue emergency phones are located on all LRT platforms and in transit centres to connect with Control Center staff.
  • On-train alarms: All LRT trains are equipped with alarm buttons, strips above windows and pull handles to connect riders directly with the LRT operator, who can request additional resources if needed.
  • On-site assistance: Riders are encouraged to approach Transit Peace Officers, ETS staff or other uniformed personnel, such as EPS officers, for assistance, information or support.
  • Emergency services: Always call 911 in the event of an emergency.
For more information:
edmonton.ca/ETSSafety

Media contact:
Jyllian Park
Communications Advisor
Community Services

Alastair Lillico
Communications Advisor
City Operations
 
Edmcowboy11 said:
Well one of my little experiences this evening (January 6th) the platform level at Davies that had limited access and no heat was empty of individuals lingering, but as I was going down the elevator and we passed the second floor I could see clearly one or two individuals that were definitely not waiting for the next train, they were there to spend as much time there as possible in the warmth.
I still remember when all the stations had their turn styles/pass gates. I too advocate for the return of fare pass gates. Also if each station platform had even just one custodian and one Peace officer or maybe more specifically a station conductor as I now have seen they have in the Philippines and in Japan. With restricted access to the platforms the amount of Staffing in that area is not as much which would then overall allow peace officers and/or police officers to focus more on some of the entrances at street level to maintain more order starting at the entrances.
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Yes, the really sad thing is we actually had it mostly right years ago before we somehow allowed it degrade into a sometimes chaotic mess it is now.
 
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