Edmonton Transit Riders is wasting their potential

If Edmonton Transit Riders (ETR) really want to make a difference, it’s going to take more than a small group of advocates. Riders themselves need to step up, speak out, and actually engage with the issues that affect them.

We care about Edmonton’s transit because it matters—to students, adults, seniors, and everyone in between. It apart of lives, opportunities, and the well-being of our communities.

ETR has potential. It can make real change. But let’s be honest—it needs more fire. More urgency. More pressure.

I’m not here to bash ETR, but let’s call it like it is: the recent launch event at the unopened Blatchford Gates station felt more like a photo-op than a moment of impact. Showcasing a duplicate station that’s already identical to NAIT/Blatchford Market doesn’t inspire confidence especially, for a no confirmed opening of the finished station. Regardless people are starting to notice ETR, and it’s time ETR stops playing it safe and starts telling the cold, hard truth—Edmonton is falling behind. Calgary is rolling out real upgrades, like new bus displays and with it’s existing fare-free zone downtown that boosts accessibility and ridership.

ETR also needs to stop getting overly political and just get back to what matters: the message, the facts, and the people. It’s time to bring the conversation back to X (Twitter)—whether we like the platform or not, it’s where a lot of engaged people are. Every group of people is an audience that needs to hear this stuff. If we want support and awareness across the province, we need to meet people where they are and that includes Facebook Instagram and X (Twitter). ETR Riders already is active on the new growing social media BlueSky but its impact to reach more people starts but just copying the same type of tweet over to X (Twitter).

Thats why we will continue to reach out with surveys and have discussions. Our mission is to provide the best most comprehensive information we can possible so that riders are aware of what to expect. Our mission now is to advocate for more accessible transit within our LRT system.

YEG Transit Community is committed to working with whoever possible to help build a better system for all. Including the City of Edmonton, TransEd Partners, Marigold Infrastructures, Arc and other advocacy groups and organizations.

For more information visit transit.mixedjournalism.com or email transit@mixedjournalism.com