City puts more peace officers on Edmonton transit as 70,000 students return to school

The City of Edmonton is increasing police presence on public transit through September 18 as more than 70,000 students return to school this week, aiming to help new riders feel safer and navigate the system confidently.

Enhanced patrols will run at high-traffic transit hubs during peak morning and afternoon weekday hours. City peace officers will also station themselves around post-secondary campuses, public spaces, and pedways to offer tips to riders. Edmonton Transit Service teams are attending orientations at MacEwan University, NorQuest College, University of Alberta, NAIT, Concordia University, and King's University, providing information and resources.

Youth make up roughly 40 per cent of Edmonton's public transit riders but have historically reported lower satisfaction than older riders. The 2025 Edmonton Transit Service rider research program found safety "consistently receives the lowest ratings among all service aspects." Transit safety concerns intensified following the pandemic, driven by visible open substance use and aggressive behaviour at bus stops and LRT stations.

"Transit safety is a top priority for students," said Nathan Poon, president of the Students' Association of MacEwan University. While Poon acknowledged that some students feel less safe with more police presence, he said the university supports "any approach that acknowledges the root causes of these issues, while also acknowledging that there is a role for law enforcement to play."

The city has responded to student advocacy by establishing teams pairing social workers with transit police. In July, the city added new transit peace officers.

"It's slowly, very slowly getting better, but we have more work we need to do," Mayor Andrew Knack said. He stressed that good early experiences are crucial for students navigating transit for the first time, and that the September campaign is part of a broader effort to improve perceived safety.