The city is implementing a multi-tiered plan to improve safety for Calgary transit riders

Recent safety incidents on CTrain platforms have prompted the city to make operational changes to improve transit safety.

There will be more peace officers on transit platforms, transit patrols by the city's corporate security guards and increased surveillance.

“This is a serious issue and the city is making operational improvements that will increase safety for transit riders and the Calgary community,” the city said in a statement.

“Solutions must involve highly organized efforts to see results over time.”

In November, two incidents at the Marlborough CTrain station — one an assault and the other a brawl involving a flare gun used to set a man on fire — prompted city officials to review public transit safety measures.

Transit patrols have increased

The city said it is working on recruiting and training new peace officers, scheduled for 2023. Six more recruits graduated last week.

After the recruitment process is complete, the number of police officers will increase by 25 percent, bringing the total number of officers in the system to 141.

Recruitment and training of additional guards to actively patrol the system also continues. They will have more power than regular guards.

By the time this process is complete, the city will have a total of 31 guards.

“Improved safety perception”

A pilot program, Calgary Transit Ambassadors, launched Monday. This is a group of transit employees who increase visibility and help find your way and answer questions.

After a survey conducted by this city, consumers reported that they felt safer when their “safety perception” was high.

“The results of the study show that ambassadors are an effective way to help improve customer awareness of safety, and it's important that they wear branded clothing,” said Sharon Fleming, director of Calgary Transit.

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“These new ambassadors will help customers feel safe and secure knowing that we are with them on their journey.”

He said all Seventh Avenue platforms from downtown to West Kerby are getting lighting upgrades. These changes are expected to be made by the end of March.

Advanced monitoring

The number of employees in the city's work management center is increasing. That's where they dispatch officers, monitor closed-circuit cameras and respond to customer safety texts.

Calgary Transit Ambassadors alert the Operations Control Center when they encounter problems or witness an incident.

“We've heard from Calgarians and want them to know we're working hard to make transit safer in Calgary,” said City Manager David Duckworth.

“This is a highly coordinated, multi-agency effort involving the Calgary Police Service, Transit Safety, Community Services, 911 and Calgary's many community social service partners, enhancing their collaborative efforts to improve the safety of Calgarians.”

In the fall of 2022, CPS and transit officers issued 370 tickets and made 46 arrests as part of transit enforcement.