City welcomes students back to school safely |
August 28, 2025
As Edmonton students prepare for the 2025-2026 school year, the City wants to ensure a smooth, safe and enjoyable experience.
With students returning to class, it’s important to remember that 30 km/h playground zone speed limits are in effect, and to be aware of changes to the Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) schedule and ongoing construction, which may cause travel delays this fall.
Traffic safety
Students are some of the most vulnerable road users, and everyone has an important role in keeping them safe, whether they are walking, biking or rolling. Practicing safe speeds is one of the best ways to help ensure safety for students. The speed limit in all playground zones, which includes school streets, is 30 km/h from 7:30 a.m. - 9 p.m. year-round. The speed limit on all other residential streets is 40 km/h unless posted otherwise.
When taking children to school or picking them up, give yourself extra time. Learn the school rules and look out for each other. Talk to your children about school safety and the importance of using designated and marked crossings. Safety is everyone’s responsibility.
Parking in and around school zones
When dropping off or picking up children, parking responsibly is crucial for the safety of students and pedestrians. While parking near schools can be limited, drivers should prioritize safety over convenience. Avoid illegal parking that could obstruct visibility or traffic flow. Use designated parking and pick-up locations to reduce congestion on local streets and in front of the school. Additionally, be mindful of residents by not blocking driveways, as this can cause significant inconvenience.
Edmonton Transit Service
ETS is excited to help youth riders get to school this fall! School routes will resume, and many regular bus routes will run more frequently during peak hours. ETS is also introducing three new school special routes this September. Information on school special routes is available at edmonton.ca/SchoolSpecialBusRoutes.
Five times each year, ETS reviews rider feedback, schedules, service levels and routes to ensure we’re providing the right amount of service at the right time, including during the school year.
On select dates until mid-September, City staff will visit post-secondary institutions and some transit facilities to provide information about safety resources and trip planning tips, to help new and returning students navigate public transit.
Check your routes and plan your trip ahead of time at edmonton.ca/Transit. For more information on fall service changes, visit edmonton.ca/TransitServiceChanges.
Transit Peace Officers are Here to Help
Through the “Here to Help” campaign, the City of Edmonton and Edmonton Police Service are collaborating to create a safe and welcoming transit environment for all riders, including new and returning students, first-time riders and newcomers. From September 2 to 19, additional Transit Peace Officers will be present during peak hours at key high-traffic transit hubs and LRT stations. If you need assistance, ask them or other staff in uniform for help.
Transit Peace Officers are available to educate riders about transit bylaws, ensuring everyone knows how to travel safely and responsibly. This includes conducting fare inspections, enforcing transit bylaws and addressing violations to maintain a safe environment for everyone. Officers also provide wayfinding and overall support for those navigating the transit network.
The Back-to-School Transit Safety Toolkit provides information about how to use transit safely and responsibly.
Fall construction projects
With more than 70 City projects in construction across Edmonton, it is helpful to plan your travels. Please give yourself extra travel time, especially along corridors with major City construction projects. The City’s traffic disruptions map, edmonton.ca/TrafficDisruptions, provides information about road closures, possible travel delays and how long construction projects may take. |
For more information:
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