Art & Advocacy: Bringing Transit Benefits to Life in Edmonton

Last year, we were proud to lead two powerful projects to engage youth on public transit in Edmonton. At M.E. LaZerte High School, students worked alongside Cree artist Jayda Delorme to create a mural depicting the role of transit in building strong, connected communities. Additionally, our team conducted a feasibility study exploring how Edmonton could improve youth transit access—beyond just fare-free policies. Together, these initiatives demonstrated the power of youth-led advocacy, blending creativity with research to drive meaningful change.

Building Community Through Art & Transit: The Edmonton Mural Project

The idea for this mural emerged from conversations with local partners, educators and youth advocates who saw the value of using art to communicate the importance of transit. With the support of the City of Edmonton, we were able to bring this vision to life, and more than 45 newcomer, refugee and art students collaborated to depict the impact of public transportation on their community.

Jayda designed the mural using the teachings of the medicine wheel. Each section of the artwork symbolizes an essential component of community life:

🚌 The bus represents independence and opportunity.

🏡 Homes signify belonging and stability.

🌿 Saskatoon berry bushes symbolize generosity and connection to the land.

⚒️ Work and education represent mastery and personal growth.

For the students involved this wasn’t just an art project—it was a chance to build connections, learn about transit advocacy and leave a lasting impact on their community. The mural is now a daily reminder that transit is more than just a way to get from point A to B; it is a tool for fostering social equity, reducing environmental impact and strengthening a sense of belonging.

Reconciliation was also a critical component of this work. Public transit systems exist on Indigenous land, and it’s crucial to acknowledge the ways in which they can either support or create barriers for Indigenous communities. Jayda’s artwork incorporates traditional teachings and Indigenous perspectives, ensuring that the mural also serves as a reminder of the role transit can play in reconciliation.

By involving young people in this process, we helped cultivate a sense of ownership over public spaces. When youth feel connected to their city’s transit system, they are more likely to use and advocate for it in the future.

Mural at M.E. LaZerte High School.

The mural was unveiled in October 2024, and it stands as a symbol of what’s possible when communities come together to reimagine transit. We are grateful to everyone who participated and look forward to continuing these conversations across Canada.

Beyond the Fare-Free Debate: Expanding Youth Transit Access in Edmonton

Throughout 2024, we conducted an in-depth feasibility study on youth transit in Edmonton. This research, funded by the Alberta Ecotrust Foundation’s Environmental Impact Grant Program, aimed to explore the opportunities and challenges of implementing fare-free transit for youth.

While the conversation around free transit often dominates public discourse, our study revealed that making transit accessible goes beyond just eliminating fares. Based on our report findings, we have concluded that fare-free transit for all youth is not immediately feasible in Alberta’s current political and financial climate. However, this does not mean we cannot take significant steps to improve youth access to transit right now.

Key Findings & Recommendations

Through engagement with local organizations, youth and caregivers, our study found:

✅ Youth want to take transit—but barriers remain. Safety concerns, lack of parental approval and infrequent routes deter youth ridership.

✅ Fare-free transit is only part of the solution. While cost is a barrier, other factors—like transit frequency, route connectivity, and safety—must also be addressed to increase youth transit confidence.

✅ Parents play a key role. Many parents expressed concerns about their children taking transit alone, highlighting the need for education and engagement with families.

✅ Community support is strong. Local organizations, school boards and advocacy groups overwhelmingly support expanding transit access for youth and integrating transit education in schools.

To build capacity for fare-free transit for youth under 18 in Edmonton, we identified the following action items:

1. Advocate for increased provincial and federal support for transit.

2. Conduct youth engagement and training on transit with community partners to build youth and parent perceived transit safety and ease of use, as well as support the addition of further transit safety measures.

3. Work with Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) to enhance the Youth Ambassador program to normalize youth riding transit.

4. Work with City Council to remove the requirement for an adult companion for fare-free transit for youth under 12.

5. Work with ETS and the Council to propose after-school, fare-free transit on the existing routes 3, 101, 114 and 106 so that youth can more easily access free after-school City recreation centres.

Edmonton has already made significant investments in transit and we believe that taking incremental steps—like prioritizing youth engagement and improving transit education—can build momentum for larger policy changes in the future.

Our work in Edmonton reinforced what we’ve seen across Canada: when young people have access to transit, their world expands. They gain independence, access new opportunities and become engaged citizens who shape the future of their communities.

We’re excited to continue these conversations and push for more inclusive transit solutions.