Muhammad Irfan 
The True Post (Web News)As Calgary’s municipal election approaches, public transit safety and efficiency have become central issues among mayoral candidates vying for voter support.
Growing concerns from residents about using transit during the evening and late-night hours have prompted candidates to propose a range of strategies to improve the city’s transit system.
Many Calgarians have expressed discomfort traveling during off-peak hours.
“I get really scared around eight or nine in the evening for some reason,” one commuter told CityNews. Another said, “It feels safer when it’s busy, but during quieter times, it can be unsettling.”
Mayoral candidate Jeromy Farkas said a one-size-fits-all solution won’t work.
“My safety plan calls for an audit of every single LRT station in the city,” he explained, emphasizing the need for targeted improvements at each station.
Incumbent Mayor Jyoti Gondek focused on increasing service reliability and deploying transit officers during vulnerable hours.
“If we improve the reliability and frequency of transit during off-peak times, more people will feel comfortable using it,” Gondek said. “We must ensure officers are deployed when riders need to feel safe.”
A recent survey shows Jeromy Farkas leading the race, with Jyoti Gondek in second place as the election draws near.
The discussion on transit safety has also broadened to include overall public safety. Farkas and Brian Thiessen, former chair of the Calgary Police Commission, clashed during a recent debate over the closure of the downtown police station. Farkas criticized the move, while Thiessen said it had been proposed by the Calgary Police Service.
Ward 1 Councillor Sonya Sharp, also running for mayor, suggested revisiting the idea of installing turnstiles at CTrain stations a proposal city administration deemed unfeasible in 2023. Public opinion remains divided: some residents support the idea for added control, while others prefer Calgary’s trust-based fare system.
“I like that we live in a city where we can trust people to pay,” said one Victoria Park resident.
Advance voting runs until October 11, with election day set for October 20, giving Calgarians the opportunity to choose from nine mayoral candidates.
