LRT
Yesterday's accident between an LRT train and a semi resulted in the hospitalization of one person on the train and ETS was prompt in expressing condolences to family and friends, riders and staff involved in the incident. The accident also hi light many peoples' concerns that its only a matter of time before someone gets seriously injured or worse yet, killed. Hopefully that doesn't need to happen before something is done to prevent such a tragedy and the public outcry of "we told you so."
On Tuesday, City council’s urban planning committee considered a 2 year pilot project of putting transit fare gates at Churchill and Belvedere LRT stations. The suggested pilot project will be upfront and ongoing costly and haven't been included in the budget. Councillors heard members of the public and union say there are better uses of time and money and better solutions for increasing safety and the number of people taking transit.
Violent crimes continue to plague Edmonton Transit with more than 500 crimes on transit centres and LRT stations this year. The 500 only includes personal violence, extortion/harassment/threats" and "sexual violations crimes that have been reported does not include those unreported, online complaints or attacks on trains, buses or near (but not at) transit stations. 50 new police officers are being hired for the transit beat but they will not be on the beat until late 2024 which leaves growing concern about safety and dropping ridership revenues.
This is part 3 of a 3 part series on the current issues that have to be considered to improve the LRT syste. Part 1 is entitled STATE OF LRT TAKING ITS TOLL and Part 2 is entitled UGLY SIDE OF CONVENIENCE. It a well researched and written series and if you haven't read the first 2 parts I suggest you do so before delving into Part 3 (below)