“Here to Help” campaign to support student transit riders this fall

News Release

“Here to Help” campaign to support student transit riders this fall

As students head back to school this fall, the City of Edmonton is re-launching the Here to Help transit safety campaign. The coordinated initiative involves members of the Edmonton Transit Service (ETS), Transit Peace Officers (TPOs) and the Edmonton Police Service (EPS).

Through increased visibility of uniformed personnel, enhanced safety measures and helpful on-the-ground support, Here to Help aims to ease the back-to-school transition and build rider confidence.

Until September 19, additional Transit Peace Officers will be present during peak hours (7 – 9 a.m. and 2 – 4 p.m.) at key high-traffic transit hubs and LRT stations.

“The start of the school year is one of the busiest times on our transit network,” said Brooke Hilborn, Deputy Chief, Community Standards Peace Officers. “Through Here to Help, we’re helping to ensure students feel supported, safe and informed as they use transit to return to the classroom.”

“We see a significant decrease in crime and disorder when our uniformed officers are in the transit system working alongside our ETS and TPO partners,” said Superintendent Keith Johnson, Crime Suppression and Community Operations Division, Edmonton Police Service. “Here to Help is another opportunity for EPS members to be proactive in the community, encouraging a safe environment for all transit riders.”

Transit Peace Officers are available to educate and inform riders about transit bylaws, ensuring everyone knows how to travel safely and responsibly. This includes conducting fare inspections, enforcing transit bylaws and addressing violations to maintain a safe environment for everyone. Officers also provide wayfinding and overall support for those navigating the transit network.

On select dates until mid-September, ETS staff and Inspectors will also be at post-secondary schools and some transit facilities to support students. Staff will provide information about safety resources and trip planning tips to support a positive ridership experience. Riders can also download the back-to-school transit safety toolkit for more tips on how to ride transit safely and responsibly.

“Here to Help provides important connections between riders, Transit Peace Officers teams and our staff. We are able to help establish a familiarity and level of comfort to build student confidence about taking transit throughout the school year, while also receiving important feedback that we use to help us enhance our service,” said Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, ETS Branch Manager. “With each interaction, we are building a stronger service that is convenient, safe and reliable.”
For more information:
edmonton.ca/ETSSafety