Edmonton toughens bylaw, Drug use, loitering banned on transit

Edmonton has amended the Conduct of Transit Passengers bylaw in hopes of making the service safer for commuters and employees.

it hopes will make public transit safer for commuters and employees.

There have been several attacks at transit centres and hundreds of complaints about intimidating or unpleasant behaviour.

The bylaw already banned behaviour that interfered with the safety or comfort of others, but transit peace officers and security contractors say it didn't give them the authority to remove troublemakers.

The amendments passed yesterday also ban open drug use and loitering.

Councillors who voted for the amendments say they are meant to target criminals, not the homeless.