Calgary mayoral candidates propose solutions to transit safety, efficiency ahead of election

As Calgary’s municipal election approaches, transit safety and efficiency have emerged as key issues among mayoral candidates vying for voter support.

With concerns mounting over rider experiences during off-peak hours, candidates are presenting distinct strategies to improve the city’s transit system.

Many Calgarians have voiced unease about using transit late at night.

“Around 8 or 9 p.m., I get terrified for some reason,” one commuter said to CityNews.

Another noted that while transit feels safer during busy hours, “it’s the non-busy times” that raise concerns.

Mayoral candidate Jeromy Farkas emphasized that a blanket solution won’t suffice.

“My safety plan calls for an audit of every single LRT station in the city,” he said, proposing a station-by-station review to identify specific improvements.

Incumbent Mayor Jyoti Gondek focused on increasing service reliability and deploying transit officers during vulnerable hours.

“If we improve the reliability and frequency of transit, especially in those off hours, you’ll see more people using transit,” she said. “We need to make sure we are deploying transit officers at times when people need to feel safe.”

The debate over transit safety has also addressed broader public safety concerns. Farkas and Brian Thiessen, former police commission chair, clashed over the closure of Calgary’s last downtown police station during a mayoral debate last month. Farkas criticized the decision, while Thiessen defended it as a proposal from the Calgary Police Service.

Sonya Sharp, current Ward 1 councillor and mayoral candidate, suggested revisiting the idea of installing turnstiles at CTrain stations—despite city administration deeming the initiative unfeasible in 2023. Public opinion on turnstiles remains mixed.

One resident from Victoria Park noted that some stations could accommodate them, while another praised Calgary’s honour-based system.

“I like the fact that we can live in a city where we can trust people to pay,” they said.

Advance polling runs until Oct. 11, with election day scheduled for Oct. 20. Calgarians have the opportunity to choose from nine mayoral candidates.