LRT, buses unsafe at night, female passengers say

Edmonton councillorBev Esslinger wants to know ifwomen feel unsafe on the citys buses and LRT trainsand whatcan be done about it.

Many women that I had talked to, they didn't feel safe travelling on transit particularly in the evening and on the LRT at night, she said.

Her concerns are echoed in a survey of female passengers on the LRT Monday night.

When I have a night class and I am travelling very late at night...I usually ask for a ride, said Regan Homniuk, who cites the need for more security officers.

I see people who are erratic and crazy and there is not safety here for us, said Casey McCarthy.We need (security) who stay on the trains instead of coming on and off.

Esslinger is asking for women to share their stories with her. She is also asking Edmonton Transit for an accounting of what is being done now to address safety.

Safety is something that I think we all need, she said. Do we feel comfortable? If we need to use the LRT or transit late at night - what are those barriers? Is there a safety barrier for people? That's what I am trying to get from people.

That information will go into a report whichEsslinger hopes will be completedby the end of March.