Calgary Transit closes 5 station buildings at 6 p.m. due to increased 'social disorder'

There's been a noticeable increase in "social disorder" on the CTrain system over the past couple of weeks, Calgary Transit says, so it's stepping up its security measures.

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, ridership on the CTrain system has dropped80 per cent.

But there's been a 27 per cent increase in social disorder over the same time last year, officials say.

So Calgary Transit is shutting down the buildings at five stations on the Red Line Victoria Park-Stampede, Erlton-Stampede, Heritage, Southland and Anderson after 6 p.m. MT.

There will be also be stepped up enforcement on fares, particularly for trains leaving the downtown core.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi says people shouldn't be afraid but the security problems may be more noticeable to those taking the CTrain.

"There's just less people around and as such. Then if you see some social disorder, there's nothing between you and that social disorder," Nenshi said. "There aren't a bunch of people there as well, so you'll just feel more unsafe. That's just human nature."

The mayor said if the problems persist during the day, it's possible the station buildings may be closed around the clock to discourage loitering.