In a survey that was taken in February, Calgarians say they feel safer now than six months ago in and around Calgary’s transit system, according to a perspectives survey on safety from the City of Calgary.
At the time of the survey, 72 percent said they feel safe riding a CTtrain during the day, up from 67 percent in May 2023 when the survey was last conducted. Also up was the percentage of people who said they feel safer waiting at a CTrain station during the day which was up 70 percent in November compared to 64 percent in May.
The survey showed an increase in people feeling safe while riding a CTrain after dark and waiting for a train after dark. When the survey was conducted the City of Calgary said they are working on making transit safer for all Calgarians as safety is their main priority.
However, calls for safety on public transit and transit platforms have been renewed following an altercation at a CTrain station that left one woman hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.
On March 26 police responded to a call of an assault involving a weapon at Lion’s Park Station. Police said an altercation between several people, all of whom were women, had occurred and two of the women were found suffering from what police said were stab wounds.
Public spaces need to be safe for the public and this type of violent behaviour will not be tolerated. Transit lines are a designated safe space for the public and we will contuinue to work with our partners to strengthen public safety – Calgary Police Service Superintendent Cliff O’Brien.
The number of Calgarians who feel safe on transit is now beginning to decrease because of the altercations that have been taking place recently. Calgary Mayor, Jyoti Gondek said the City of Calgary needs to work on this issue right away.
We cannot wait for the next tradegy to occur before something more is done. As a municipal government, we must provide better transit safety for Calgarians. Transit is an essential service at the core of any major city and people should not have to think twice before using it.
Gondek added that she expects immediate action to resolve this problem and make sure that all Calgarians feel safe while using the transit system.
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