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  Rural Transportation Report 2026

A Ride Can Save a Life

Transporting Survivors in Rural Alberta to Safety and Healing

For many survivors of gender-based violence in rural Alberta, transportation is the first barrier to safety.

Leaving an abusive situation often requires travelling long distances to reach a shelter, access healthcare, attend court, or rebuild stability through employment and housing. In many rural, remote, and northern communities, however, safe and affordable transportation options simply do not exist.

The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters’ report, A Ride Can Save a Life: Transporting Survivors in Rural Alberta to Safety and Healing, highlights the transportation barriers survivors face and the ways shelters across the province are working every day to help people reach safety and healing.

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Through the Rural Transportation Project, the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters distributed transportation funding to shelters across rural Alberta. Over a 14-month period, the project helped support 3,430 survivors — including 2,087 adults and 1,343 children — with transportation to safety and essential services.

Transportation allows survivors to:

  • Reach shelter and safety
  • Access medical care and mental health supports
  • Attend court and legal appointments
  • Secure housing and employment
  • Reconnect with family and community

For survivors fleeing violence, a ride can truly save a life.

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Read the Report

A Ride Can Save a Life: Transporting Survivors in Rural Alberta to Safety and Healing explores the transportation challenges faced by survivors in rural communities and shares insights from shelters across Alberta that are working to overcome these barriers every day. It also outlines practical solutions to ensure survivors can safely access the services they need.

Download the report now!

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this project, the Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters has identified several opportunities to improve transportation access for survivors.

1. Establish accessible and affordable public transportation in rural Alberta

Many rural communities lack reliable transit options. Expanding public transportation within and between rural communities would improve survivors’ ability to safely leave abusive situations and access support services.

2. Provide long-term and flexible transportation funding for shelters

Sustained funding would allow shelters to support transportation through taxis, gas cards, transit fares, flights, and shelter vehicles — ensuring survivors can access transportation when they need it most.

3. Create partnerships with local transportation providers

Token systems or standing accounts with taxi companies and other transportation providers could make it easier for shelters to arrange transportation quickly and safely.

4. Provide gender-based violence awareness training for transportation providers

Training for taxi drivers, transit operators, and ride-share providers can help ensure survivors are transported safely and with compassion.

Take Action

Transportation can be the difference between a survivor reaching safety — or remaining trapped in an abusive situation.

You can help ensure survivors in rural Alberta have access to the support they need.

Advocate

Encourage your municipal and provincial representatives to prioritize transportation solutions that support survivors and rural communities.

Volunteer

Many shelters rely on volunteers to support programs and services. Contact your local shelter to learn how you can help.

Learn

Participate in gender-based violence awareness training and help create safer, more supportive communities.

Donate

Support your local shelter so they can continue providing life-saving services — including transportation support for survivors. Find a shelter near you here.

Support Community Partners

Businesses and transportation providers who partner with shelters play an important role in helping survivors reach safety.

Thank you to Driverseat and WomenFirst for your commitment to supporting survivors and providing safe and reliable transportation in your communities!

Thank You to Participating Shelters

This report was informed by the experiences and insights of shelters across rural, remote, and northern Alberta. We extend our sincere thanks to the member organizations that contributed data, expertise, and lived knowledge to this project:

Rowan House Society