Calgary Transit riders concerned about safety on LRT
Posted Feb 24, 2023 10:14 am.
Last Updated Feb 24, 2023 10:21 am.
Calgary Transit riders are speaking out on social media, sharing stories and concerns about their commute, despite the city’s efforts to make riders feel more comfortable.
Sue Taylor moved to Calgary in September, and she rides the train Monday to Friday to get to work. She says her experience has been eye-opening.
“You have all these people taking the train every day … you’d think safety would be a huge thing people would think about,” Taylor said.
Another wonderful morning in @cityofcalgary on @calgarytransit smoking meth on the train. No more excuses, no more “we’re working on it.” Forget all of your legacy projects and clean this mess up. Heads need to roll in management. Obviously you’re not prepared for the task. pic.twitter.com/E3OkYXVQzO
— @dukedurrango (@dukedurrango) February 16, 2023
This is just one video that shows a rider smoking a substance on the train,
“I was just like, ok, putting my headphones on and looking away. You don’t want to be that person caught in the middle,” she said.
“You just hope they get off at the next station. There’s no one to stop them.”
It’s been almost three months since The City of Calgary deployed a multi-level plan to improve safety on trains, promising transit patrols and enhanced surveillance…
Several transit riders question the effectiveness of the plan.
The city said they were adding staff to deal with this. Where are they?
— jan m she/her (@happy_volunteer) February 16, 2023
One rider tweets, “The city said they were adding staff to deal with this. Where are they?”
I have to drive my 16 yr old to school and work because it is not safe anymore….
— Harmony Joy (@HarmonyJackson) February 16, 2023
Another says, “I drive my 16-year-old to school and work because it is not safe anymore.”
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone ever patrolling the train, checking tickets, or anything. Never seen anyone,” Taylor said.
CityNews contacted the City of Calgary for an update on implementing the transit safety plan.
“The Transit Public Safety recruitment project is in its final stages,” a statement from Calgary Transit reads. “When recruitment and training is complete, we will have a total of 31 Corporate Security officers supporting Transit Safety.”
“All our riders deserve to feel safe on the Transit system, and we take their safety concerns very seriously.”
#CTRiders for immediate safety concerns, please:
– Text 74100
– Press a Help Phone (located in stations & on platforms)
– Call Transit Watch 403-262-1000 option 1
Please call 9-1-1 for emergenciesStandard Msg and Data Rates may apply
Details: https://t.co/wMrUkUWgch pic.twitter.com/tp5IroZvLO— Calgary Transit (@calgarytransit) February 24, 2023
Riders are encouraged to reach out to Calgary Transit for immediate safety concerns.
