Latest public transit altercation reignites calls for safety on platforms

Calls for safety on public transit and transit platforms have been renewed following an altercation at a CTrain station that left one woman hospitalized with life-threatening injuries.

On Tuesday at around 8 p.m. police responded to a call of an assault involving a weapon at Lions Park station.

Police said an altercation between several people, all of which were women, had occurred and two of the women were found suffering from what police said were stab wounds.

"Public spaces need to be safe for the public and this type of violent behavior will not be tolerated," said Calgary Police Service Superintendent Cliff O'Brien.

"Transit lines are a designated safe space for the public and we will continue to work with our partners to strengthen public safety."

One suspect is in custody and charges are now pending, police said.

In December of 2022, the city deployed a multi-level plan to improve safety for Calgary transit passengers following several security incidents including a brawl earlier that year.

More peace officers on transit platforms and transit patrols by the city's corporate security guards and enhanced surveillance were part of the plan.

At the time, the city was working through the recruitment and training of new peace officers scheduled for 2023.

Transit riders have previously told CBC News that they've felt increasingly less safe when using Calgary Transit recently. Concerns about abuse, aggression, a lack of security and timely help are some issues that riders have mentioned.

In a statement sent on Wednesday, Calgary's Mayor Jyoti Gondeksaid that she "made it clear" to administration that sheexpectsadditional resources to be deployed right away.

"We cannot wait for the next tragedy to occur before something more is done. As a municipal government, we must provide better transit safety for Calgarians," Gondek said.

"Transit is an essential service at the core of any major city and people should not have to think twice before using it."

She added that sheexpects "immediate action" and says she willhave more details to share in the coming days.