Safety fears prompt review of Calgary transit
E-mails from concerned transit users flood councillors' offices
Last Updated: Tuesday, January 22, 2008 | 9:30 AM MT
CBC News
Calgary city council has approved a safety audit of the transit system four days after a woman's body was found near the Franklin LRT station.
Police confirmed Tuesday that Arcelie Laoagan, 41, was killed but did not release the cause of death because of investigative reasons.
Ald. Druh Farrell recalled how she felt trapped after someone pushed the emergency help button and stopped the C-Train.
(CBC)
On Monday, city council unanimously supported a comprehensive safety review to begin later this year that will examine whether current safety measures work.
Aldermen Druh Farrell and Diane Colley-Urquhart said they have been flooded with e-mails from people, especially women, saying they're afraid to use transit.
Farrell told council she was riding the C-Train once when she witnessed a woman harassed by five men she called thugs.
"Somebody pressed the [emergency] help button; the train stopped. And I felt like I was stuck in an elevator with a robber and someone had just punched the stop button. I felt trapped," said Farrell.
"We have to take back the trains. We have to take back the streets and it's not just in the core," said Colley-Urquhart.
Others complained of freeloaders riding the trains, unsafe parking lots, dirty buses and filthy stations.
Ald. Joe Connelly called the C-Train Canada's largest mobile homeless shelter, but Mayor Dave Bronconnier said transit is "very safe."
Share Tools
Latest Calgary News Headlines
- Alberta radar running again after breakdown
- Predicting severe weather patterns is still presenting a challenge for local weather watchers after four Environment Canada Doppler radars stopped working properly this week. more »
- Inquiry rules on death of troubled Alberta teen
- A fatality inquiry into the death of a mentally troubled Alberta teenager is recommending hospitals tighten rules on all outings for psychiatric patients. more »
- Alberta readies 60 new ambulances for service
- Around 60 new ambulances will soon be whizzing across the province thanks to a large purchase by Alberta Health Services. more »
- Suspicious death in S.E. investigated
- A man was found dead in southeast Calgary early Friday morning in what police are calling suspicious circumstances. more »
Top News Headlines
- Aylmer triple stabbing leads to first-degree murder charges

- The estranged partner of a young mother who was stabbed to death along with her parents at their home in Aylmer, Que., has been charged with first-degree murder Friday. more »
- B.C. premier unhappy with disgraced Mountie's transfer
- B.C. Premier Christy Clark says she is not happy with the RCMP decision to transfer a disgraced Alberta Mountie to the West Coast. more »
- The risks and responsibilities of taking on Mt. Everest

- The deaths of five climbers last weekend on Mt. Everest, with more summits underway this weekend, fuels the debate about the risks and responsibilities of high altitude climbing. more »
- Henrique's OT goal sends Devils into Stanley Cup final
- The New Jersey Devils will vie for a potential fourth Stanley Cup in franchise history after defeating the New York Rangers in six games in the Eastern final, courtesy of rookie Adam Henrique's goal early in overtime. more »
- Former MLA questions need for Alberta Party
- Inquiry rules on death of troubled Alberta teen
- Alberta radar running again after breakdown
- Suspicious death in S.E. investigated
- Police couldn’t stop double fatal crash, judge says
- Alberta readies 60 new ambulances for service
- TEDxYYC brings passionate speakers to Calgary today
- Calgary woman who killed mother gets 5 years
- Beltline attack leaves man critically injured
Ald. Druh Farrell recalled how she felt trapped after someone pushed the emergency help button and stopped the C-Train.
