[Greenspace]

Because we haven't grown our fleet in a meaningful way in almost 20 years. The last large-scale purchase of buses was in 2007 and 2009, when the system added 355 buses. Since then it's been replacement by attrition.

Point about bus growth taken.

But per capita growth is less than 2014 when we didn't have the Valley Line at all and those buses were freed up for use elsewhere.

 

[thommyjo]

Perception is reality? Is that the counter argument? I woukd venture to say perception seems to be more important than reality as its clear millions of people would rather use a system with that has an invisible crime problem as opposed to one where you have to see homeless people who likely wont do anything to you personally.

You know what makes me personally feel unsafe, seeing police everywhere across the system as the police have not always acted justly or fairly.

To your last point I would ask you answer a few questions. Where are Edmonton’s largest areas of growth? How usable is the transit system in those areas? What shoukd we expect to happn when the most growth occurs in areas of the city with the least accessible transit? Do you expect the per capita number to go up? Personally I dont.

Please be careful to not discount the experiences of people different than you. Not sure your context, but often it’s easy for some people to lecture about safety and perceptions and all of that while forgetting that a 5ft tall woman, or an elderly person, or a parent with young kids, or anyone that’s experienced violence, or people with disabilities….if they say they feel unsafe, it’s a tough look to talk down to them on it.

Your bar of tolerance changes a lot based on your circumstances or season of life. And it’s simply an objective fact that people using drugs are less safe to be around. Gang members increase your risk to be near. People screaming should make you uncomfortable.

My wife and I both used transit 1 time this week each. She enjoyed being screamed at by 2 different people in Churchill while pushing a stroller with 2 young kids. Is she allowed to say that’s not ok? Or would you dismiss that?

I was on a bus on jasper and had to step inbetween an elderly lady and a man on drugs throwing food and screaming at her. I was afraid the man could become violent or have weapons and I’m not a small dude. I felt unsafe and was uncomfortable. Am I allowed to say that’s not ok?

Again… 2/2 this week for crap on transit. Neither would be reflected in any stats. But they’re real.

 

[Blizzard]

But per capita growth is less than 2014 when we didn't have the Valley Line at all and those buses were freed up for use elsewhere.

Fair enough. Our buses move more people overall in 2026 than they did in 2014 - but that's not the point in question here, I understand.

I feel Capital Line South to Heritage Valley will do the most to help per capita ridership as that will really increase access to transit for large areas that are currently very hard to serve. Valley Line West will free up probably 100,000 annual service hours but mostly in areas that have existing frequent, express, and/or crosstown service. Metro Line North would do the same as Capital Line South in terms of increasing access competitively with private vehicles, but unless the Federal gov't feels they need Edmonton to win an election any time soon...

Just waiting on that new bus garage... Any day now...

 

[Greenspace]

And on the point of perceptions:

January 2026 City Pulse Survey
Happy New Year!

The January 2026 City Pulse Survey includes (in order):

Commercial Property Owners Focus Group Recruitment - We are recruiting commercial property owners to understand their perceptions, awareness and understanding about how the City spends public money.
ETS Safety Perceptions Ride-Alongs Recruitment - The City of Edmonton is conducting research to better understand safety and security perceptions on Edmonton Transit Service (ETS).
Welcome Homes Campaign - The City of Edmonton is conducting a post-campaign survey to help evaluate a recent campaign related to affordable and supportive housing.

General Comments

Your input from the survey is invaluable to us, as it helps us understand your perspectives and improve our services. We look forward to your feedback and will share the results with you as soon as possible.

Survey info:
Please allot at least 10-12 minutes to provide feedback.
Survey closes: January 20 at 11:59pm

Please proceed to the survey...

Personal information is collected for the purpose of research and will be used to improve City of Edmonton services and programs. Collection is authorized under section 4(c) of the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) and is managed and protected in accordance with the Act. The City intends to input the information into an automated system to generate content or make decisions, recommendations or predictions in accordance with the City of Edmonton Generative AI Standard (see Council Policies, Standards section). For questions about the collection, please contact Manager of Corporate Research, 780-442-0827 and research@edmonton.ca.

January 2026 City Pulse Survey

Hey Edmonton, we value your input! January's City Pulse is looking for your feedback on Commercial Property Owners Focus Group ETS Safety Perceptions Ride Alongs Recruitment Welcome Homes Campaign

cityofedmonton.qualtrics.com

 

[Greenspace]

About the ride alongs:

"ETS Safety Perceptions Ride-Alongs

The City of Edmonton is conducting research to better understand safety and security perceptions on Edmonton Transit Service (ETS). This research will help the City identify opportunities to improve riders’ experiences, particularly in moments or locations where people may feel unsafe or vulnerable.

The City is working with an independent research firm, Pivotal Research, to conduct this study. As part of the next phase of this work, selected participants will be invited to take part in a real-time transit ride-along.

What participation involves
If selected, you will be asked to participate in a guided transit ride-along, where a Pivotal Research team member will accompany you on a transit trip of your choice—ideally one where you have previously felt unsafe or uncertain. The researcher will observe your experience and speak with you throughout the ride about moments of comfort, unease or vulnerability. After the ride, there will be a short debrief interview.

Participation will involve approximately 60–75 minutes in total. Ride-alongs are expected to take place between January to February 2026. To participate, you will need access to a mobile phone (with a talk/text and data plan) and email to coordinate logistics.

Incentive
Those selected and who complete the ride-along will receive a $100 CAD honorarium in recognition of their time and the personal nature of the activity.

What happens next
Not everyone who signs up for the study completes this screener will be invited to participate. If you are selected to participate, Pivotal Research will contact you directly with further instructions and to schedule your ride-along.

By signing up for this study and completing this screener, you agree that your name, email and phone number may be shared with Pivotal Research for the purposes of recruitment and participation in the study.

Privacy
Your responses to this screener will be kept confidential and will only be used to determine eligibility for this phase of the research. All data collected throughout the study will be handled in accordance with the City of Edmonton’s and Pivotal Research’s privacy policies and used solely for research and planning purposes. Participation is voluntary, and you may withdraw at any time.

If you have any questions about the study, you may contact Pivotal Research at feedback@pivotalresearch.ca or 1-877-421-1199."

 

[Yeggy]

Please be careful to not discount the experiences of people different than you. Not sure your context, but often it’s easy for some people to lecture about safety and perceptions and all of that while forgetting that a 5ft tall woman, or an elderly person, or a parent with young kids, or anyone that’s experienced violence, or people with disabilities….if they say they feel unsafe, it’s a tough look to talk down to them on it.

Your bar of tolerance changes a lot based on your circumstances or season of life. And it’s simply an objective fact that people using drugs are less safe to be around. Gang members increase your risk to be near. People screaming should make you uncomfortable.

My wife and I both used transit 1 time this week each. She enjoyed being screamed at by 2 different people in Churchill while pushing a stroller with 2 young kids. Is she allowed to say that’s not ok? Or would you dismiss that?

I was on a bus on jasper and had to step inbetween an elderly lady and a man on drugs throwing food and screaming at her. I was afraid the man could become violent or have weapons and I’m not a small dude. I felt unsafe and was uncomfortable. Am I allowed to say that’s not ok?

Again… 2/2 this week for crap on transit. Neither would be reflected in any stats. But they’re real.

I think you missed the point.

Perception is not reality as the other poster put forward. You are highlighting actual safety concerns. This is extremely different who someone who uses the system, sees thibgs that make them feel uncomfortable, but never encounters an actual safety concern.

Lets be clear there are people who out there who wont “feel” safe because they see someone of a different race/social economical status despite them never actually being unsafe.

Again I point out I feel less safe by crowds of police blocking lrt exits, milling about and questioning people who are simply using the system.

 

[Yeggy]

Please be careful to not discount the experiences of people different than you. Not sure your context, but often it’s easy for some people to lecture about safety and perceptions and all of that while forgetting that a 5ft tall woman, or an elderly person, or a parent with young kids, or anyone that’s experienced violence, or people with disabilities….if they say they feel unsafe, it’s a tough look to talk down to them on it.

Your bar of tolerance changes a lot based on your circumstances or season of life. And it’s simply an objective fact that people using drugs are less safe to be around. Gang members increase your risk to be near. People screaming should make you uncomfortable.

My wife and I both used transit 1 time this week each. She enjoyed being screamed at by 2 different people in Churchill while pushing a stroller with 2 young kids. Is she allowed to say that’s not ok? Or would you dismiss that?

I was on a bus on jasper and had to step inbetween an elderly lady and a man on drugs throwing food and screaming at her. I was afraid the man could become violent or have weapons and I’m not a small dude. I felt unsafe and was uncomfortable. Am I allowed to say that’s not ok?

Again… 2/2 this week for crap on transit. Neither would be reflected in any stats. But they’re real.

I think you missed the point.

Perception is not reality as the other poster put forward. You are highlighting actual safety concerns. This is extremely different who someone who uses the system, sees thibgs that make them feel uncomfortable, but never encounters an actual safety concern.

Lets be clear there are people who out there who wont “feel” safe because they see someone of a different race/social economical status despite them never actually being unsafe.

Again I point out I feel less safe by crowds of police blocking lrt exits, milling about and questioning people u simply using the system. Am I actually less safe with a police presence, possibly, esp if you are part of an over policed population.

 

[whattheheck]

the irony: since good ol donny boy, edmonton city hall has been populated by progressives who want people to take transit - and this is the result. the 'can't hurt any social just warrior' mentality has left our transit system being seen in such negative light,.

If only they had the balls to enforce the rules from the onset of the pandemic about no drug use on platforms, in heated waiting areas etc. But no, the 'it's not your fault approach' has left what should be a civic pride now a civic shame.

I say this as someone who supports public transit and wants to see it flourish. It's progressive approaches to our social disorder problem, that turn people conservative.

Sure, the province has its role to play. But, clearly, the kumbaya approach and listening to advocates who don't live in the real world and their constant 'my brothers and sisters' bs has not helped anyone. I am beyond angry. How do we recover from this? I don't care about your background or the historical inequities that have happened. We keep using that as a crux and the result is a transit system and a city in distress.

And spare me your holier than thouness. (especially seen on this forum) It's partly because of attitudes like that, that we're in this terrible mess. I write this as someone who has endured and continues to deal with 'trauma' in my own personal life. But you don't see me being a d%^k.

Let's face it: some people just don't want to be good people. Good riddance to them. (Oh, I must be careful. The though police might punish me for being an out of touch elitest.)

 

[whattheheck]

Thank you CBC for taking taxpayer money for the expressed purpose of working against our own best interests. Very on brand!

ah, so bury the head in the sand and avoid the problem because it doesn't fit with your propaganda/ narrative! wow.

Ooh, look at me! I'm making people happy! I'm the Magical Man from Happy-Land, in a gumdrop house on Lollipop Lane!​

 

[whattheheck]

Agreed, and with millions of trips a month, how many safety incidents occur during that same time period? what is that expressed as a ratio?

I will bet large amounts of money I am more likely to be pick pocketed on the paris metro than to have anything negativity to me on the Edm LRT. YET Paris remains one of the most visited cities on the planet…. There needs to be room to discus bias here as its a HUGE problem.

you are so out of touch.

 

[whattheheck]

Because we haven't grown our fleet in a meaningful way in almost 20 years. The last large-scale purchase of buses was in 2007 and 2009, when the system added 355 buses. Since then it's been replacement by attrition.

what are you talking about. the city added a $1.8 BILLION dollar LRT line! and then buses redeployed. and the valley line STILL IS NOT at ridership projections as initially outlined in the business case.

 

[Yeggy]

the irony: since good ol donny boy, edmonton city hall has been populated by progressives who want people to take transit - and this is the result. the 'can't hurt any social just warrior' mentality has left our transit system being seen in such negative light,.

If only they had the balls to enforce the rules from the onset of the pandemic about no drug use on platforms, in heated waiting areas etc. But no, the 'it's not your fault approach' has left what should be a civic pride now a civic shame.

I say this as someone who supports public transit and wants to see it flourish. It's progressive approaches to our social disorder problem, that turn people conservative.

Sure, the province has its role to play. But, clearly, the kumbaya approach and listening to advocates who don't live in the real world and their constant 'my brothers and sisters' bs has not helped anyone. I am beyond angry. How do we recover from this? I don't care about your background or the historical inequities that have happened. We keep using that as a crux and the result is a transit system and a city in distress.

And spare me your holier than thouness. (especially seen on this forum) It's partly because of attitudes like that, that we're in this terrible mess. I write this as someone who has endured and continues to deal with 'trauma' in my own personal life. But you don't see me being a d%^k.

Let's face it: some people just don't want to be good people. Good riddance to them. (Oh, I must be careful. The though police might punish me for being an out of touch elitest.)

You are correct, you are beyond angry. Hyperbolic even.

Anyone who has lived in Edmonton, for any extended period of time, knows that the Province underfunds the North and leaves Edmonton to be the catch all for these Northern Communities.

If law enforcement actually solved social disorder the USA would be the safest place on earth. If locking people up solved addiction there would be no addiction.

You know what they say about insanity and continually doing the same thing right?

 

[Yeggy]

you are so out of touch.

You seem to be making things pretty personal, maybe take a step back.

 

[Yeggy]

what are you talking about. the city added a $1.8 BILLION dollar LRT line! and then buses redeployed. and the valley line STILL IS NOT at ridership projections as initially outlined in the business case.

yet we still aren't meeting transit service levels so blizzard is factually accurate. User growth on the new line continues to grow and will continue to do so. Why you so mad bro?

The new LRT line was never supposed to really take off until the whole line was completed.

 

[whattheheck]

*nope. you have no right to change the goal posts. the city's biz case was for the SE line. There was no mention ever in any of the SE documents about the need for the west line to be operating to achieve that ridership target. you're like a conservative twisting the truth to fit your agenda.