Be Rail Safe
Each September, Rail Safety Week reminds people of the importance of always being safe around trains, tracks and rail crossings.
Transit riders should always:
- Cross at a designated spot and pay attention while crossing LRT tracks. Trains can come from either direction at any time
- Avoid distractions - such as texting or listening to loud music - that could prevent you from seeing or hearing an oncoming train
- Look both ways and if the warning lights are flashing, do not cross. Not every LRT crossing has gates, bells or lights to warn you of an oncoming train
By crossing responsibly and being aware of LRT tracks, we can all do our part to avoid preventable injuries and incidents.
One Strong Voice: Bystander Awareness Campaign
One Strong Voice is aimed at reducing gender-based violence and harassment in transit and other public spaces.
The campaign - which is part of a broader effort by the City to create safer transit spaces - intends to empower and educate bystanders about various actions they can take to intervene in a manner that is safe for them and the individual being targeted.
If you see harassment and feel safe intervening, follow these tips:
Be Direct - Be vocal. Call out what’s happening. Ask if the person being harassed is okay.
De-escalate - Speak calmly and slowly to everyone involved. Avoid telling the initiator to calm down.
Distract - Draw the initiator’s attention away from the situation by talking loudly, asking for directions, or pretending to answer your phone.
If you don’t feel safe intervening, you can:
Delay - Wait until the situation is over. Follow up with the person being harassed to see how they’re feeling.
Document - Scan the situation. Record the time, place, and other relevant information. When you feel it’s safe to do so, offer this information to the person who was harassed.
Delegate - Ask for assistance from others. Talk to a fellow bystander, Transit peace officer or, in an emergency, call 911.
In 2016, Edmonton became the second city in Canada to join the United Nations Women Safe Cities and Safe Public Spaces Global program. In response to the Edmonton: Safe City scoping study, community groups, Indigenous organizations, academia, corporate partners and government came together as the Edmonton: Safe City Community Collaboration Committee to recommend strategies to make public spaces in Edmonton, including transportation, safer for women, girls and individuals who identify as women.
In keeping with the Safe City recommendations, the City developed a bystander awareness campaign that is evidence-based, incorporates an Indigenous perspective and aims to create safer spaces and reduce gender based violence for all people. A Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) process was also applied to help understand and address the needs of diverse people in transit spaces. The City recognizes everyone deserves a safe transit experience. This campaign is one part of the City's efforts to make transit a safer, more convenient and reliable way to travel.
In 2022, the City completed research to learn about:
- existing bystander awareness and intervention campaigns
- the level of knowledge transit riders have about when and how to intervene safely
- the motivations and barriers for people to intervene
- established models of bystander awareness training
The full research report is available upon request by contacting wsdadminsupport@edmonton.ca
Reporting Safety Concerns
Call 911
Report safety concerns, like harassment, disorder or suspicious behaviour to ETS control centre by calling or texting Transit Watch at 780-442-4900.
Please note Transit Watch cannot receive photos or videos. Describe the situation and your location in a text instead.
In an emergency, call 911 immediately.
Blue emergency help phones are located in all LRT stations, in major bus terminals and some city pedways. Once you press the button, you will be connected directly with ETS control centre.
All trains are equipped with help phones, pull handles and push strips. They connect directly to the LRT operator driving the train.
If you see something out of the ordinary, report it immediately to a bus or LRT operator, other uniformed ETS personnel or law enforcement personnel.