In a move aimed squarely at enhancing commuter safety, Calgary's city council has voted to allocate $9 million for a targeted security pilot project on the CTrain network. The funds, approved during recent 2026 budget deliberations, will specifically bolster the presence of peace officers and security guards during the busy afternoon and evening rush hours.
Focus on Peak Hours and High-Incident Stations
The pilot program is designed to concentrate resources when they are needed most. Security enhancements will be deployed between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m., a period identified as critical for rider volume and safety concerns. Initially, the project will focus on 12 CTrain stations, with the flexibility to scale up to 20 locations based on need and resources.
The selection of which stations will receive the increased patrols will be data-driven, relying on incident reports and safety analytics to ensure resources are deployed where they can have the greatest impact.
A Tiered and Phased Security Approach
The strategy, brought forward by Ward 6 Coun. John Pantazopoulos, proposes a multi-layered security model. This model will integrate transit peace officers, corporate security, contracted guards, and social services workers. According to Pantazopoulos, this "phased approach" is intended to provide immediate relief while the city works on hiring additional permanent peace officers.
"What it does is actually have a physical presence there so Calgarians can know, during those peak times, no matter what, when they get off the train, there’s going to be somebody there if they need help," Pantazopoulos explained to council.
Investment in Safety and Ridership
The council vote was not unanimous, passing with a 9-6 margin. Councillors Rob Ward, Mike Jamieson, Kim Tyers, Andre Chabot, Jennifer Wyness, and Landon Johnston voted against the proposal, which draws one-time funding from the city's fiscal stability reserve.
Proponents framed the $9-million expenditure not merely as a cost, but as a strategic investment. Pantazopoulos argued that the project would effectively pay for itself if it encouraged a modest increase in transit use. "$9 million is a lot, but if we can increase ridership by one per cent or two per cent, we’ve more than paid for it and people are going to feel safe again," he stated, emphasizing the dual goals of safety and revitalizing downtown transit.
The city administration is required to report back to council in the third quarter of 2026 with an evaluation of the pilot. This report will include public perception data and a recommendation on whether the enhanced security measures should become permanent.
The decision comes against a backdrop of strong public demand for safer transit. In the city's most recent citizen satisfaction survey, over 90 per cent of respondents called for increased safety investments on Calgary Transit, highlighting it as a persistent concern for residents.
