Waiting in the cold: safety concerns on Calgary Transit
Amal Mouaouia, Contributor
For many Mount Royal University (MRU) students, the commute to campus is both a daily routine and the most vulnerable part of the day.
As evening classes end and daylight fades earlier during the winter season, bus shelters around MRU can feel exposed, poorly lit, and isolated, especially compared to the direct train access enjoyed by students at other Calgary post-secondary institutions.
“I think everyone has had an instance where they felt the need to be more alert while riding transit,” says second-year MRU student Liana Manai. “I mean that’s expected to occur at a reasonable amount in a major city, but people’s frustrations with transit mainly come from a lack of improvement despite rising fare prices. Having to wait for a bus for a prolonged period of time is not only inconvenient but raises a risk for dangerous interactions, especially for those who commute when the sun is down.”
Student concerns on campus align closely with how Calgary residents report feeling about transit safety more broadly.
According to the City of Calgary’s most recent public-safety survey, while a large majority of residents feel safe riding transit during the day, that confidence drops sharply at night. Only about half of respondents say they feel safe riding a bus after dark, and just over one-third feel safe waiting alone at a bus stop at night.
For students whose schedules extend into the evening, this drop in perceived safety is felt daily.
MRU commuters in particular are served entirely by bus routes, with no direct train access to campus. Students rely on roadside shelters along sidewalks, often fully exposed to traffic, wind, cold and consistently longer wait times.
Other campuses, in contrast, are integrated into the CTrain network, offering frequent trains, well-lit stations, and indoor waiting. These features provide students with both warmth and a greater sense of security.
The result of MRU’s lack of reliable transport is more students standing alone for longer periods of time, particularly in the winter when cold temperatures discourage lingering crowds.
Students say that this combination, darkness, isolation, and weather, heightens both anxiety and risk.
“I can definitely see how frequency is a safety measure,” says Hardeep Toor, a third-year commuter student. “From 1 to 4 p.m. there’s never not never not a huge crowd at the bus stop in front of the school waiting for Max Yellow. It’s strange that there’s even enough of a wait time between buses that there becomes an opportunity for such a massive crowd to form.”
The Max Yellow bus stops at 6th Street Station, where many students then transfer to a CTrain, highlighting a clear demand for direct rail access and a large population of students who are relying on buses to bridge this gap.
Student concerns about transit safety are well aligned with broader city trends. Calgary Police Service (CPS) reporting shows that public assaults have increased in 2025, with downtown and transit corridors identified as being priority areas for targeted enforcement. At the same time, Calgary Transit operators and their union have reported a rise in verbal and physical incidents involving drivers and passengers, prompting further calls for protective measures and faster safety upgrades.
In response, the city has rolled out a “Public Transit Safety Strategy” that includes expanded CCTV coverage, increased transit peace officer presence and Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) improvements such as better lighting and sightlines. Calgary officials reiterate that safety requires both outreach to vulnerable populations and design changes that reduce isolation.
Notably, MRU continues to support its students’ safety here on campus by offering SafeWalk services, escorting both students, staff, and faculty to any on-campus destination. SafeWalk services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, where anyone can request an escort using the MRU Now App or by calling 403‑440‑6897.
What further complicates the issue of transit safety is fare costs. Calgary Transit raised its adult single-ride fare to $3.80 in 2025 and again inJanuary 2026, with a single-ride adult fare now costing $4.
The city frames these increases as necessary to keep pace with operating costs and to continue servicing a growing city. For riders who aren’t covered by a student UPass, such as part-time students, these rising costs, coupled with growing living and tuition expenses, alter everyday choices. Fewer trips to campus for events, stacking schedules to be at school only half the week, and opting for less safe walking routes to save money.
Calgary already has some of the highest transit fares among major Canadian cities — including Vancouver, Toronto and Winnipeg — and many riders say higher prices have not translated into more consistent service or safer waiting environments.
“Raising fares when all other conditions remain the same is just going to make it harder for people who rely on transit,” Toor says. “You either wait longer in the dark or pay more for another option.”
For many MRU students, it seems that transit safety has become a series of daily calculations. Which stop is brighter? Should they call someone while waiting? Do students leave early to avoid standing alone? Do they skip a late class altogether?
“Being a girl on transit means you’re always thinking one step ahead, where you’re standing, who’s around you, and how quickly you can get out if something happens,” says MRU student Amira Abluafia.
While the implementation of a CTrain line to MRU is certainly a long-term project that many are hopeful for, students feel that immediate improvements also have the potential to make a meaningful difference. Improvements such as increased evening bus frequency, better night lighting, and greater accuracy on the real-time arrival displays.
As the City of Calgary continues to refine its transit safety strategies, MRU commuters are watching closely. For students, increased safety won’t be felt in more press releases or fare increases, but in fewer nights waiting alone in the cold, and a safer, more predictable way home.
