Transit Safety and Security

Main page content begins here

We want everyone to feel safe every time they board a bus or train. ETS takes a multi-layered approach to safety and security, and staff in our Control Centre monitor transit service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Your safety is our top priority.

To find out more about what the City and partners are doing to keep transit safe for everyone, visit Transit Safety Plan.

Heading back to school? Transit Peace Officers are Here to Help

Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) is excited to welcome students as they come back to school. The City of Edmonton, in collaboration with Edmonton Police Service (EPS), is proud to launch the "Here to Help" campaign. This initiative is part of the City’s Enhanced Transit Safety Plan, aimed at ensuring a safe, welcoming and supportive transit experience for riders, including the anticipated 22,000 students returning to transit.

Over the first few weeks of the 2024/2025 school year, riders can expect to see a greater presence of Transit Peace Officers (TPOs) during peak hours in the morning and afternoon. To ensure a safe and smooth transit experience, these TPOs will be stationed at high traffic LRT and transit centres throughout the city.

Along with TPOs, the Community Outreach Transit Teams also provide support to those who may need additional services.

Transit Peace Officer helping LRT rider locate their destination on a transit map

In addition to this campaign, ETS will have more security personnel and safety measures across the public transit network during the fall and winter than previous years. As ridership exceeds 2019 pre-pandemic levels, there are more eyes on the system than ever before, enhancing safety for everyone.

This initiative is in addition to ETS’ security measures for regular operations which include almost 4,000 security cameras, blue emergency phones on all LRT platforms and transit centres, red alarm buttons, and the red handles and yellow alarm strips found on LRT trains.

We encourage students to add the Transit Watch phone number 780-442-4900 to their phones for quick access. Riders can call or text this number to report safety concerns like harassment, disorder, or suspicious behaviour. Transit Watch is staffed 24 hours a day and ETS security personnel respond to reports as quickly as possible.

Photo of a group of Transit Peace Officers

Transit Watch Program

Our Transit Watch program is one way riders can report safety concerns, like harassment, disorder or suspicious behaviour, directly to ETS staff in our Control Centre.

Call or text Transit Watch at 780-442-4900, anytime.

For emergencies, immediately call 9-1-1.

How do I report a safety concern?

Text Message

To discreetly report immediate safety concerns to ETS staff, any time of day, text 780-442-4900. For emergencies, immediately call 9-1-1.
Please provide detail in your text message - for example: Are you on a bus? Which bus? Are you on a train? What LRT station is coming up next? What is the situation? Specifics are important.
The text message will be received by ETS staff in the Control Centre, and they will respond to you as quickly as possible.

Phone

Call Transit Watch at 780-442-4900. For emergencies, immediately call 9-1-1.
If possible, use an emergency blue phone (located on LRT platforms and transit centres) to report harassment, disorder, or suspicious behaviour. Do not call until you are a safe distance away (approximately 300 feet).
Do not confront suspicious individuals or touch suspicious objects, packages or substances.

When should I text and when should I call 9-1-1?

The text message tool should be used to discreetly report immediate safety concerns, such as harassment, disorder or suspicious behaviour. For emergencies, immediately call 9-1-1. For general information, like route or schedule inquiries, customers should continue to use Transit app, Google Maps, our website, or call 311.

If I send a text message, will it cost me anything on my phone bill?

Standard rates apply. Please check with your wireless carrier.

Can I send photos or video clips via text?

No, we can not receive photos or videos through our text number at this time. We are looking to include photos and videos in the future.

How fast is the text response? Who is responding?

ETS staff monitor this text line around the clock. Once a text is sent to the Transit Watch line, a confirmation text should be sent within a minute or two. Staff do their best to respond with a text as quickly as they can. If there happens to be multiple texts at one time, ETS staff are highly trained and will prioritize and dispatch resources appropriately. Depending on the nature of the safety concern and the location, it may take security resources or ETS staff several minutes to be on location. In cases of emergency, call 911.

What if the person texting is a minor. Will there be a different response?

Anyone can report a safety concern, regardless of age. The nature of the concern will guide the type of response. Sensitivity is exercised in all responses. If the concern involves a minor, staff will ask questions to determine the appropriate resource to deploy. Reports should include location, nature of concern along with any other relative details which may assist (location, bus number, direction of travel or next station if on the LRT, description of people involved, and so on).

Does the text message service work when there is no cell service?

There are certain locations on transit, namely underground LRT tunnels, where cell service can be spotty. In these situations we recommend, if you feel comfortable, waiting until you have cell service, or if not, pushing a help button on the LRT that will allow you to communicate directly with the Operator of the train.

Transit Peace Officers

Transit Peace Officer

Transit Peace Officers are highly trained and skilled to proactively respond to a variety of situations to keep you and fellow transit riders safe. They work with our Control Centre and collaborate with police officers and onsite security guards to keep Edmontonians safe.

Transit Peace Officers

Community Outreach Transit Team

Community Outreach Officer

Transit Peace Officers also partner with outreach workers and other community agencies to help refer individuals on ETS property to specialized community support and services, such as financial, housing, mental health and substance use. The City is partnering with Bent Arrow Traditional Healing Society to provide the outreach workers to support this initiative.

Community Outreach Transit Team

Additional Security Features: Phones, Buttons, Alarms

Emergency Phones and Buttons

Emergency Phone Photo

Blue emergency help phones are located in all LRT stations, in major bus terminals and in some city pedways. To use the phone, press the button and you will be connected directly with ETS security personnel. When the phone is in use, a surveillance camera automatically starts to monitor/record the phone. Please note: these phones are different from the black information phones, which connect with 311 seven days/week (7am-7pm, closed statutory holidays).

Emergency Red Button

Wall-mounted red emergency buttons are located in several areas in the downtown core, including the entrance to the Winspear Centre, the Winspear pedway, the Edmonton City Centre pedway and the Westin Hotel pedway. Pushing the button will connect you directly with ETS security personnel. When the button is activated, a surveillance camera automatically monitors/records the area.

Please note: The collection of recorded images using ETS security surveillance cameras is authorized under Section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP).

Alert Systems on LRT Trains

There are several ways you can let the LRT Operator know if there’s an urgent or emergency situation on the LRT or you feel unsafe.

Yellow passenger alarms are located inside the LRT cars. Press the red button to activate.

Yellow Passenger Alarm

Red alarm handles are located in all LRT cars above every alternate door. Pull down on the handle to activate.

Red Alarm Handles

Red emergency buttons are located on all LRT cars next to the door button.

Red Emergency button

Closed Circuit Television

ETS security personnel closely monitor the surveillance camera via Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV). These cameras are installed on all buses and LRT cars, in all LRT stations, major transit centres and some city pedways.

When someone uses a blue emergency help phone or emergency wall button, a camera will automatically monitor the area. ETS security personnel then connect with the person in need of help.

For your safety and security, various surveillance and emergency communication equipment is installed throughout the Edmonton Transit Service, including transit centres and other facilities, buses, trains and LRT stations. The collection of recorded camera images is authorized under Section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP).

Safety and Security Tips

Learn more about keeping safe on transit.

Safety and Security Personnel and Support Staff

Safety and Security Personnel and Support Staff area part of ongoing safety and security enhancements for ETS.

Rail Safety

Remember, trains need time to stop. Whether you’re walking, driving or biking, there are rules in place to help you stay safe around LRT tracks and stations.

Contact Us

Transit Watch

To report safety concerns or unusual and suspicious activity, call or text Transit Watch.

Phone	780-442-4900

Transit Safety and Security

Transit Watch Program

Text Message

Phone

Transit Peace Officers

Community Outreach Transit Team

Emergency Phones and Buttons

Alert Systems on LRT Trains

Closed Circuit Television

Related Links

Downtown Core and Transit System Safety Plan

Edmonton Police Service

Crime Stoppers

Contact Us

Transit Watch