Why SkyTrain Harassment Still Worries Vancouver Women

It’s 10:47 p.m. at Commercial–Broadway Station. A handful of riders wait under fluorescent lights, glancing down the tunnel for the next train. A woman shifts her bag from one shoulder to the other and checks her reflection in the window, not to adjust her hair but to see who’s behind her. She’ll soon be one of thousands of Vancouver women doing what has become routine, calculating safety on every ride home.

Transit Police say crime on SkyTrain is down, yet many riders still grip their keys or angle their phones toward reflections. The numbers may show progress, but the experience tells another story.

The stats say safe but women still grip their keys

Metro Vancouver Transit Police reported a nine per cent drop in crimes against passengers between 2024 and 2025. But a CityNews poll that same year found that 55 per cent of residents still fear violence on transit.

That contradiction changes how people travel. Riders avoid deserted cars, plan routes around daylight, or wait for the next train if a carriage feels off. The system can be safer statistically but still feel unsafe to those who use it.

Every commute feels like a safety drill for Vancouver women

For many women, vigilance has become muscle memory. They stand near the driver’s cabin, keep earbuds out, and avoid eye contact with those who stare. Some pretend to talk on the phone. Others text live updates to friends until they reach their stop.

These small adjustments are constant, invisible work. It’s a quiet burden that drains energy and turns everyday commutes into acts of self-protection.

What really happens on the SkyTrain and why few speak up

Harassment on SkyTrain rarely makes headlines. A brush that lingers too long, a comment whispered just loud enough to hear, or a blocked doorway can leave riders uneasy. Many women never report it. Some doubt police can help. Others simply want to move on.

Transit Police estimate that only one in ten harassment cases are reported. This silence skews the data and hides the scope of the problem.

In April 2025, a 17-year-old girl was groped at Gateway Station in Surrey. The accused had prior convictions. Online reaction was swift, with Vancouverites asking why repeat offenders still ride the system. A 2024 post described a similar assault on the Canada Line in broad daylight. The victim did not report it, saying she just wanted to get home. These patterns show how fear and fatigue combine to keep stories unspoken.

Debate Over Skytrain Harassment of Vancouver Women

The conversation about skytrain harassment vancouver women has become one of the most emotional public-safety debates in the city. Some argue for stronger enforcement through more Transit Police, faster arrests, and tougher sentencing. They believe visible officers deter harassment and rebuild confidence.

Others say policing alone cannot fix the problem. Groups like BWSS and Women in Urbanism Canada argue that safety starts with the environment: better lighting, open sightlines, and more staff after dark. They want a transit system that feels protective rather than reactive.

After the Gateway assault, provincial MLAs debated bail reform and supervision for repeat offenders. Critics countered that root causes like mental health, addiction, and poor station design also need attention. Both sides agree on one point: real safety change moves slower than fear spreads.

What riders say would make Vancouver’s SkyTrain feel safe

Across Reddit threads, Facebook groups, and local advocacy pages, riders share the same wishlist. They want brighter lights, more staff on platforms, working help buttons, and reliable cameras.

Research supports these ideas. Studies from the Canadian Research Institute for the Advancement of Women found that riders feel safer when they can see staff nearby. TransLink’s Community Safety Officer program has helped, but coverage remains inconsistent.

At stations like Waterfront and Commercial–Broadway, staff presence makes a difference. Visibility signals care. Neglect feeds fear.

Inside the politics of SkyTrain safety in British Columbia

By May 2025, transit safety reached the provincial legislature. One MLA raised concerns about ongoing assaults on transit and called for stronger protections for women. The Parliamentary Secretary for Gender Equity pledged a province-wide review.

TransLink’s board followed with a policy update that added psychological safety to its Corporate Safety Policy, acknowledging that fear is part of safety.

Transit Police also reported a 55 per cent rise in texts to 87-77-77 between 2024 and 2025. It’s unclear whether the increase reflects more incidents or growing trust in reporting tools, but it shows riders are beginning to speak up.

What riders can do right now

• Text 87-77-77 or call 604-515-8300 to report non-emergency harassment

• Call 911 if you feel unsafe or in danger

• Contact VictimLink BC at 1-800-563-0808 or BWSS at 604-687-1867 for confidential help

• Ask TransLink to conduct night safety audits at your local station

Small actions such as reporting, demanding visibility, and supporting other riders create the data and pressure that lead to long-term fixes.

Why fear still rides with women on Vancouver’s SkyTrain

The SkyTrain may be safer on paper, but many women still ride with tension in their shoulders and a key between their fingers. Real safety is not measured by statistics but by ease, the moment you can stop scanning every car for escape routes.

Fear will fade only when riders can see help, feel heard, and trust that their safety matters as much as their fare. Until then, many Vancouver women will keep watching the doors close and hoping every ride ends quietly.

If you have experienced harassment or want a practical reporting guide, read our next article: What to Do If You’re Harassed on the SkyTrain.