- AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

WFP: Inaugural summit looks to forge new paths (Jun18'26)
by Beth McKechnie 18 Jun '26

18 Jun '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Trails sector discusses climate change, outdated infrastructure and uncertain funding Inaugural summit looks to forge new paths https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2026/06/17/inaugural-trail-summit-l… IN Manitoba, thousands of kilometres of trails wind through a range of landscapes, including prairie, forest, sand dunes and provincial parks, passing through communities and campgrounds. And behind every stretch is significant work to keep them maintained and accessible. Across the country, trails are under growing pressure from climate change, aging infrastructure, increased use and uncertain funding — pressures that inspired trail leaders, advocates, researchers and policymakers from 10 provinces and two territories to gather in Winnipeg this week for the first Canadian Trail Summit. Hosted by Trans Canada Trail, the national charity that stewards Canada’s 28,000-kilometre trail system, the four-day summit features keynote talks, technical workshops, field trips and sessions on conservation, accessibility, tourism and innovation. “It’s the first trail summit that we’ve had across the country, and Winnipeg is the centre of Canada — it’s a great meeting spot, it’s been a meeting spot for people for thousands of years, so I think there’s a lot of meaning to this being the first place,” said Jeana Manning, president of Trails Manitoba. Manitoba has a strong network of trails that support a range of activities — skiing, snowmobiling, running, walking and mountain biking — but they are not immune to challenges. Flooding has closed all trails in Beaudry Provincial Park and damaged a boardwalk in Spruce Woods, shoreline erosion has restricted part of the Black Wolf Trail in Hecla/Grindstone, and low water levels have limited access in Turtle Mountain. Wildfire damage has also forced long-term closures, including the Mantario Trail in Whiteshell Provincial Park and trail systems in Nopiming park. Restoration projects are currently underway. Manning said “a ton” of work goes into trail upkeep. “You have to go through a lot of legwork, and that’s often dependent on volunteers.” In 2020 and 2021, the provincial government established an endowment and spend-down fund for trail investments that provided about $1.4 million annually. She said the fund has been reduced to about $200,000 a year in granting funds — “which isn’t enough to accomplish our vision, which is a Manitoba where everyone is connected to trails.” Despite the funding constraints, the Trails Manitoba grant program, funded by the provincial government in 2021, has invested about $6 million over five years in trail projects across the province. Manning said funding has helped leverage roughly $26 million in trail development over that period. Manning added there has been growing demand for more backcountry hiking options in the province, prompting action at the provincial level. To mark 2026 Manitoba Trails Day on June 6, the Manitoba government announced the opening of two new backcountry campsites on the Black Wolf Trail in Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park. “We want to reduce that demand by providing more supply,” she said. Ashleigh Hall, manager of Manitoba’s provincial trails office, says the province is a leader in the trail sector. “I’m pretty sure (we are) the only provincial or territorial government that has an office dedicated to trails, and we have lots of great partnerships with trail organizations and the government as well,” she said. “I think trails are really growing in Manitoba.” Hall said the next phase of work is focused on expanding and improving the system, including identifying opportunities for more multi-day trail routes, strengthening mapping and trail database information, and better understanding how and when people use trails. She said that data will help inform planning and decision-making on trail development and maintenance. “Trails have a kind of magical ability to provide benefits like health, economic and social benefits across daily life and quality of life,” Hall said. “In Manitoba, we are uniquely positioned to take advantage of that in all seasons.” Manning said a summit presentation on Wednesday about the health benefits of trails inspired her to work with the provincial health department, Doctors Manitoba and other health partners on a more co-ordinated approach in recognition of trails as critical infrastructure for both human health and the natural environment. “I think one of the biggest benefits (of the summit) is just building community and those connections with other people who are doing similar work,” she said. zoe.pierce(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:zoe.pierce@freepress.mb.ca>

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WFP: Selkirk students get free ride as part of youth transit pilot (Jun17'26)
by Beth McKechnie 18 Jun '26

18 Jun '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Province aims for expanded rollout by September, premier says Selkirk students get free ride as part of youth transit pilot https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/06/16/selkirk-students-… SELKIRK — The City of Selkirk will be the first municipality to test free transit for youth this summer. Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson unveiled a new transit pass Tuesday that will allow students aged 12 to 21 to ride buses in the region at no charge, starting immediately. “Free youth transit is about more than just the rides. It’s about building a long-term vision where public transit is a natural, reliable choice for transportation,” Johannson said. “It’s about giving our youth more agency and more access to opportunity and making life more affordable for families.” The pilot project, dubbed Next Stop, will offer transportation to about 1,700 students from Selkirk, St. Andrews and St. Clements. Passes can be picked up at Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School, École Selkirk Junior High and the City of Selkirk civic office with identification and proof of enrolment. The Kinew government’s 2026 budget included $10 million to provide students with access to public transit in Winnipeg, Brandon, Selkirk, Winkler and Flin Flon. The goal is to have free transit for students aged 18 and under by September, Kinew said. The announcement was met with boisterous applause from a group of students who attended the news conference at Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School. Johannson said the city will spend the summer testing the program and make adjustments to routes and bus inventory after the pilot ends in September. Selkirk has a fleet of four buses. The mayor couldn’t say how much the project would cost. Kinew said the $10 million allocated in the province’s budget will be used to help municipalities make up for lost revenues from the program. The city had already planned to offer youth in Selkirk free transit passes as part of its 2026 budget. Days later, the province announced a similar initiative, which allowed Selkirk to expand its program to youth in surrounding municipalities. Bus fare in Selkirk is $2 for youth aged 6-11 and youth under 18 who are not enrolled in school. Monthly passes are $20. Ridership has tripled since Selkirk Transit was launched in 2011, Johannson said. Current annual ridership numbers were unavailable but the mayor said it was in the tens of thousands. A song released this week by musician John Samson Fellows called on the provincial government to reinstate a cost-sharing agreement for transit funding for Manitoba municipalities, and improve the service. Kinew said the province is on the same page. “The hope is that a young person today will start riding the bus as a teenager, and along the way we’ll keep buying more buses, we’ll keep improving the transit services across Manitoba, and then that way when this generation is in adulthood, they’ll just keep that healthy, climate-friendly habit going forward,” the premier said. nicole.buffie(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:nicole.buffie@freepress.mb.ca>

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WFP: A tune for transit (Jun15'26)
by Beth McKechnie 15 Jun '26

15 Jun '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. A tune for transit Winnipeg musician brings love for the bus to new song with message to province https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-life/2026/06/15/a-tune-for-trans… A new song released this week by John Samson Fellows comes with a clear call to action: “More buses, more routes, more accessible to everyone.” The tune, titled 50/50 Funding, praises public transportation and calls on the provincial government to reinstate matching transit funding for Manitoba municipalities. It was written in support of the Next Stop campaign led by Climate Action Team Manitoba and the Amalgamated Transit Union, which aims to restore the long-standing cost-sharing agreement scrapped by the former Progressive Conservative government in 2016. [MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Musician John Samson Fellows (left) and Laura Cameron from Climate Action Team Manitoba are part of Next Stop, a campaign encouraging the NDP to restore matching transit funding.]<https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/431337…>MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Musician John Samson Fellows (left) and Laura Cameron from Climate Action Team Manitoba are part of Next Stop, a campaign encouraging the NDP to restore matching transit funding. Getting on board with a transit-improvement campaign was an easy decision for Samson Fellows. “I’ve taken the bus my entire life. It’s an important part of my life and an important part of my identity as a Winnipegger,” says the former frontman of indie-rock act the Weakerthans. It’s also a key part of his origin story. “My parents actually met on a bus on Ellice Avenue in 1966, so I guess I have Winnipeg Transit to thank for my existence in a way,” he says with a laugh. Samson Fellows doesn’t own a car and rides the bus regularly as one of his main modes of transportation. As such, he’s intimately aware of the issues that exist within the local transit system, such as overcrowding, inconsistent service and missed connections. Despite the frustrations, Samson Fellows is a big fan of travelling by bus, as it offers a chance to ponder and take in the city while surrounded by other people. The lyrics of 50/50 Funding imagine a rosy future in which better transit funding leads to a greener and friendlier Manitoba. “Buses are a place where community happens.” “Buses are a place where community happens,” Samson Fellows says. “And the environmental aspect is very appealing to me. We need to eliminate fossil fuels from our lives and the only way to do that is to do so together, to travel together.” The song was recorded with West Broadway youth involved in the After School Leaders program and produced by Rusty Robot (formerly known as Rusty Matyas). It’s available on Bandcamp<https://vivatvirtute.bandcamp.com/track/vivat-virtute-presents-50-50-funding> and accompanied by a stop-motion music video<https://vimeo.com/1200801886/1535de974a?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci> by Samson Fellows’ partner, Christine Fellows. Over the past decade, much of Samson Fellows’ songwriting has focused on civic activism (see his 2020 song Millennium for All, written in protest of increased security measures at the Millennium Library; he and Fellows were co-writers-in-residence at the Winnipeg Public Library in 2016-17). “Becoming more involved with my neighbourhood and community has helped me recognize the very important role of municipal and provincial politics in the lived experiences of my friends, family and neighbours,” he says. The Next Stop campaign launched last month and urges the NDP government to restore matching transit funding in major centres, such as Winnipeg, Brandon, Thompson, Selkirk and Flin Flon. The previous 50/50 funding agreement was introduced in the 1970s and saw the province cover 50 per cent of the day-to-day operating costs for municipal transit systems. Provincial transit funding has remained at $42 million annually since 2017. Winnipeg Transit recently projected a more than $18-million reduction in revenue this year, owing to a drop in ridership. “The transit system in Manitoba and in Winnipeg is severely underfunded and as a result service is weakened,” says Laura Cameron, director of programs and strategy for Climate Action Team Manitoba. [MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Cameron (left) and Samson Fellows want to restore the 50/50 transit funding agreement.]<https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2026/06/431337…> MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Cameron (left) and Samson Fellows want to restore the 50/50 transit funding agreement. “We’re looking for the province to restore the 50-50 agreement and for municipal leaders and candidates going into the upcoming municipal election to pledge increased investment in public transit.” Visit nextstop5050.ca<https://climate-action-team-manitoba.solidarity.tech/transit> for more information on the campaign. winnipegfreepress.com/evawasney<http://winnipegfreepress.com/evawasney>

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Josh Johnson Explains Why Car People Can’t Handle The Bus
by Beth McKechnie 12 Jun '26

12 Jun '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Hope no one minds as I couldn't resist sharing this video. Josh Johnson is actually performing in Winnipeg this Sunday. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgvKLeBIZ_0

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WFP: City eyes expanding school speed zones (Jun12'26)
by Beth McKechnie 12 Jun '26

12 Jun '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. City eyes expanding school speed zones https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/06/11/city-looking-into… THE City of Winnipeg will study whether to expand its 30 km/h school zone speed limit to additional residential streets or even busy regional roads. City council’s public works committee has directed staff to review those options with the goal of calming traffic and allowing safer travel for kids. Mayor Scott Gillingham said he’s open to studying the idea but, at first glance, doesn’t believe a 30 km/h speed limit would be a reasonable fit for regional roads. “Our regional roads are our major corridors … and we need to make sure those are flowing. At the same time, we need to make sure our streets are safe,” said Gillingham. A reduced speed limit of 30 km/h, typically down from 50 km/h for residential roads, currently applies around many schools from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, from September through June. That typically applies to any city street that borders a private or public school with students in Grade 6 or lower, except for regional/arterial streets. Staff will also study options to post the 30 km/h speed limit at more residential roads surrounding schools, such as streets that connect with key paths entering school property, not just those directly adjacent to the building. Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works, fears both changes could have unintended consequences. “I don’t support having a school zone in the middle of a regional road. Regional roads are major arteries that we’ve designated to move vehicles … Our regional roads are (also) dedicated for emergency vehicles,” said Lukes (Waverley West). The councillor said schools on regional streets are required to have crossing guards, which helps reduce safety risks. She said the motion’s call to reduce more 50 km/h roads around schools to 30 km/h speeds could confuse drivers. “It would get challenging when you’ve got all these multiple speeds throughout the city. That’s why I’m really supportive of just dropping (the speed limit on all residential) roads to 40 km/h,” said Lukes. Coun. Emma Durand-Wood said she would support both expansions to school zone speed limits. “If we’re thinking about the school zones as a tool for safety, then we need to think about all the streets surrounding the schools. We’ve got pretty good research to show reducing speed limits doesn’t have a really tangible effect on travel times…. I think most people are OK with slowing down a little bit for the safety of kids,” said Durand-Wood (Elmwood-East Kildonan). “As for emergency vehicles, I think when people are driving a little bit more slowly and more carefully, they’re more attentive to their surroundings and it lets them be able to react more quickly, if they see (an emergency vehicle) coming up behind them.” A group lobbying to reduce the speed limit on all residential streets to 30 km/h said slowing traffic on regional routes could be difficult to enforce. “I think we should investigate it. At the very least, speeds should drop to 50 km/h on regional streets in front of elementary schools. I think that’s totally reasonable. Ideally, it would be 40 (km/h) but I kind of feel like we need to take baby steps on regional streets,” said Ian Walker, the chairman of Safe Speeds Winnipeg. Walker, who is also a Louis Riel School Division trustee, said he has heard multiple complaints about the speed drivers travel past Archwood School, which is located on Archibald Street, a 60 km/h arterial road. He said reduced-speed school zones should be expanded to more residential streets as soon as possible. “We should absolutely be slowing cars down on adjacent streets (to schools) that we know kids are walking on, that kids are crossing…. We have lots of disconnections in our network of safe routes to school,” said Walker. Coun. Devi Sharma, who raised the motion, said her key focus is to address residential roads directly around schools, following safety concerns from parents around R.F. Morrison, an elementary school in Garden City that has a 30 km/h speed limit in place on Morrison Street. Residents have asked the city to expand the speed zone, she said. “There’s an adjacent street, Buttercup (Avenue), where there’s a pathway and it leads into the school green space, and a lot of students are using that route, and there is no 30 km/h there,” said Sharma (Old Kildonan). She emphasized that reducing speed limits on arterial roads was not her original intention, noting that option was added after conversations with city traffic experts. Sharma said she’s not sure if a reduced speed would make sense for arterial roads. “I’d have to give that more thought… I think it’s important to keep traffic moving,” she said. Dale Fuga, whose grandchildren attend R.F. Morrison, supports the call to reduce speeds around the facility. “I think (the speed limit) should be just consistent anywhere around the school,” said Fuga. “If everybody took a little bit more care and caution, it would be a little bit safer.” David Patman, the city’s manager of transportation planning, was not available for an interview Thursday. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca> X: @joyanne_pursaga

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WFP: City hall needs to fix transit issues — quickly (Jun10'26)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Jun '26

10 Jun '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. City hall needs to fix transit issues — quickly https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/2026/06/09/fewer-taking-bus-after-s… TOM BRODBECK ONE year after Winnipeg Transit launched the most ambitious overhaul of its bus network in decades, the verdict is becoming increasingly difficult for city hall to avoid. The relaunch is not delivering the results that were promised. City councillors and Transit officials can try to sugar-coat it any way they want. They can point to positive feedback from some riders, blame federal immigration changes and cite fare evasion. But the numbers don’t lie. Winnipeg Transit is now forecasting it will collect $18.4 million less in fare revenue this year than budgeted. That is a staggering shortfall for a system that was supposed to be attracting more riders under its redesigned network. Transit originally projected $97 million in fare revenue for 2026. It already warned earlier this year that revenues could fall by $11.1 million because of declining ridership. Now the situation appears significantly worse. Even more concerning is the ridership data itself. Average weekday boardings during the winter of 2025-26 were estimated at 164,482. That’s down more than 11 per cent from the previous winter and far below the nearly 196,400 weekday boardings recorded before the pandemic in 2018-19. If the new network was supposed to make public transit more attractive and convenient, the evidence so far suggests the opposite is happening for many riders. Perhaps the most telling admission came from Coun. Jeff Browaty, who chairs city council’s finance committee, acknowledged that some regular riders have found the new system less useful than the old one and have switched to other forms of transportation. That should set off alarm bells throughout city hall. Public transit succeeds when people choose it over driving, ride-booking services or other alternatives. If existing customers are abandoning the system, that’s a serious problem. To be fair, the network redesign is not solely responsible for declining ridership. Transit officials are correct that federal immigration policy changes have reduced the number of international students and temporary foreign workers in Winnipeg. Those groups traditionally rely heavily on public transit and their numbers have fallen across Canada. That undoubtedly explains part of the decline. But it doesn’t explain all of it. For months, riders have complained about routes that are less convenient, including longer travel times, reduced evening and weekend service, missed connections and confusing transfers. Many Winnipeggers continue to experience late buses, overcrowded vehicles that pass stops without allowing passengers to board and, in some cases, buses that simply don’t show up. That problem existed long before last year’s network redesign. Nothing destroys confidence in public transit faster than uncertainty. If someone cannot depend on a bus to get to work, school or an appointment on time, they will eventually find another way to travel. That’s what appears to be happening. Safety and security remain another major obstacle. While the city has added community safety officers and recently announced a greater police presence on buses, many riders still do not feel comfortable using the system. Reports of assaults on drivers, harassment of passengers and disorderly behaviour — including in bus shacks — continue to damage public confidence. Riders who feel unsafe are far less likely to use the system regularly, particularly during evenings and weekends. Attracting riders requires more than route maps and marketing campaigns. People need service that is reliable, convenient, frequent and safe. At the same time, Winnipeg Transit is being asked to accomplish all of this with inadequate funding. The previous Progressive Conservative government severely reduced provincial support for municipal transit systems, ending the long-standing principle of equal provincial-municipal cost sharing. That was a mistake. Public transit is not simply a municipal service. It is critical infrastructure that supports economic growth, reduces congestion, lowers emissions and connects people to jobs, education and health care. The Manitoba government should restore the traditional 50-50 funding partnership and provide Winnipeg Transit with the stable resources it needs to improve service. Still, more funding alone won’t solve every problem. Transit management must continue making adjustments to routes that are clearly not working and be willing to admit when changes have produced unintended consequences. But better service requires investment. Transit needs more buses, more frequent and reliable service and up-to-date technology, including better fare-payment options that include credit and bank cards, as is the case in most other Canadian cities. One year after the relaunch, the evidence is mounting that Winnipeg Transit’s overhaul has failed to attract the ridership gains that were expected and may have driven some existing customers away. That’s not a reason to abandon the network redesign altogether. Large scale transformations often require adjustments and fine-tuning. It is, however, a reason for honesty. The city should stop pretending the numbers are merely a temporary bump in the road. A projected $18.4-million fare revenue shortfall and double-digit ridership declines are not signs of success. They’re warning signs. The sooner city hall acknowledges that reality, the sooner it can focus on fixing the problems that are keeping riders off Winnipeg’s buses. tom.brodbeck(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca>

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WFP: Bike-to-school day initiative features fun pit stops (Jun9'26)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Jun '26

10 Jun '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Bike-to-school day initiative features fun pit stops Strives to encourage students to ride https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/06/08/bike-to-school-da… BIKE Week Winnipeg is piloting new student-friendly pit stops today as part of its signature event. This year, for the first time, bike-to-work day is also being branded as bike-to-school day. “When students ride, their families ride,” said Andraea Sartison, event producer for the volunteer-run organization that is promoting cycling with activities scheduled through Sunday. “(This initiative) is a really good way for us to reach more people, I think. school communities are much larger than the student population, so this is a really nice way to get into neighbourhoods.” St. Boniface’s École Provencher — where Sartison sends both her preschooler and Grade 2 student — is hosting one of seven bike-to-school stations. Rounding out the roster are Stanley Knowles School in Tyndall Park, Wolseley’s Laura Secord School, Gonzaga Middle School in Point Douglas, General Wolfe School in the West End, Earl Grey School in Fort Rouge and the aptly named Sage Creek School. Each school was chosen based on its reputation for “bike-friendly programming,” said Sartison, who will be staffing the Provencher pit stop with her seven-year-old from 6:30 to 9 a.m. at 320 De La Cathédrale Ave. Several of the participating schools have an active “bike bus,” a commuter club organized by experienced cyclists who wear high-visibility gear to escort students to school safely via parades that often feature music and costumes. Cyclists who visit bike-to-school sites will be greeted with snacks, handlebar and spoke decorations and other freebies. Organizers are anticipating there will be up to 100 visitors at each stop. Teacher Doug Hemmerling said he’s taking his tools to a pit stop underneath the Disraeli active transportation bridge in case anyone requires a morning tune-up. “It’s significant that they’re acknowledging that kids get to school via bike and it’s not just about the workday. That’s an education piece in and (of) itself — to highlight for kids it’s a viable way of transportation going into their adulthood,” said Hemmerling, student and graduate support director at Gonzaga Middle School. The bike-to-school day volunteer said he’s seen first-hand how biking infrastructure surrounding a school can promote or discourage ridership. ParticipACTION’s latest report suggests 43 per cent of students between the ages of five and 17 regularly commute to class using an active mode of transportation. The national charity polls children and parents on their exercise habits as part of its mandate to promote healthy living. Canadians earned a C- in active transportation in ParticipACTION’s 2024 “report card.” The same mark was issued in 2022, an improvement from the D- assigned both in 2020 and two years before that. A year-round cyclist, Hemmerling said the COVID-19 pandemic and proliferation of e-bikes have both increased ridership across Winnipeg in recent years. “What we can’t underestimate is the amount of people that are getting on their bikes, generally,” he said, adding that Point Douglas doesn’t get enough credit for being a key connector with cycling routes frequented by commuters, himself included. Bike Week Winnipeg — not to be confused with Bike Winnipeg — does not define itself as a political or advocacy organization. Sartison said her team is focused on promoting the joy of cycling for participants in bike-to-school day, which is sponsored by Tire Stewardship Manitoba, and related events this week. maggie.macintosh(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca> [https://us5-bcdn.newsmemory.com/eebrowser/ipad/html5.check.26022621/ajax-re…]

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WFP: Transit system overhaul reducing bus ridership (Jun9'26)
by Beth McKechnie 10 Jun '26

10 Jun '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Transit system overhaul reducing bus ridership Revenue drop projected to be millions worse than predicted in 2026 budget https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/06/08/transit-system-ov… WINNIPEG Transit warns it may earn $18.4 million less from rider fares this year than its budget calls for. When the city’s 2026 budget was released, Transit estimated it would earn $97 million in fare revenue throughout this year. However, it also listed an “outstanding risk” that fares could fall $11.1 million lower due to a drop in ridership. A finance update, based on figures up to the end of March, notes that risk has since increased. “As of the first quarter, Transit is forecasting a reduction in revenues of $18.4 million,” the report notes. City council’s finance chairman said the system overhaul last June, which changed virtually every Winnipeg Transit route, appears to have led some Winnipeggers to switch to other forms of transportation. “For some who were regular bus riders, the new system is not as ideal as the (old one.) For a lot of people that the new system is better for, (many) haven’t necessarily tried Transit yet,” said Coun. Jeff Browaty (North Kildonan). Browaty said old technology doesn’t help, which is why he’s seeking newer payment options on buses. “I’m trying to push that to be replaced as soon as possible. Most cities now, you are able to use an Interac card or a credit card to pay for your fares,” he said. A city press release notes people who board buses without paying, as well as fewer international students and foreign workers (who tend to be frequent riders), are also key factors in the reduced-fare forecast. Winnipeg Transit did not grant an interview request Monday. In an email, the service noted ridership actually began to decline in late 2024 following federal immigration policy changes. “This resulted in a drop in international students and temporary foreign workers living in Winnipeg. We know these demographics rely heavily on public transit. Transit systems across Canada have since experienced a decline in ridership,” spokesperson Brandon Logan wrote. Winnipeg Transit buses had an estimated 164,482 average weekday boardings on fixed routes throughout winter 2025-26, down 11.1 per cent from 185,038 the previous winter. In winter 2018-19, the average was 196,352. The numbers are estimates based on automatic passenger counters in a portion of the overall fleet and don’t count on-request rides. Logan noted Transit has also made several scheduling changes since its new network was added, based on customer feedback. That includes extending some night-time service and adding trips on some main routes as well as some smaller community routes. Still, the union representing Winnipeg Transit drivers blamed the network overhaul as a key reason why some former riders stopped taking the bus. “We’re noticing it at the fare box. There’s a lot more people that are not riding the bus,” said Derek Hanley, vice-president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505. Hanley said many routes actually remain well-used, though on-request service sees less demand. Drivers have also spotted online complaints from people who said they waited 20 minutes for a bus, only to give up and book a ride-hailing service. “They… cut the weekend and night services back so drastically that they’re forcing people to use other modes of transportation,” he said. Hanley said community safety officers and a recently announced increased police presence on buses should help ensure more fares are paid, though efforts so far are just starting to make a difference. “It’s making a dent but we need it to make a much bigger impact,” he said. He said safety improvements are also desperately needed, as riders who witness driver assaults, or are harassed themselves, are more likely to switch to a different form of transportation. Browaty said a new “Try Transit” ad campaign aims to help raise awareness of improvements to the city’s bus routes and, hopefully, attract more riders. “The new primary transit network was a very ambitious relaunch of Transit services in Winnipeg. Basically, every route was touched. We’re getting a lot of positive feedback…. But there are some trips, some certain instances that are not as good in the new system. We’ve identified some of those shortcomings and we continue to make changes,” he said. Overall, Winnipeg Transit expects to end 2026 with a $17.8-million shortfall, which also factors in rising fuel costs and higher Workers Compensation Board claims, offset by savings from vacant positions. joyanne.pursaga(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca> X: @joyanne_pursaga

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WFP: Speed reduction proposed for River Road after child hit (Jun6'26)
by Beth McKechnie 06 Jun '26

06 Jun '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Speed reduction proposed for River Road after child hit https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/06/05/speed-reduction-p… SIX months after a child was struck on River Road, the city’s public service has endorsed 30-kilometre per hour school zones along the route in south St. Vital. A new report recommends city council make changes to the road that winds around St. Vital Park and connects St. Vital Road, Abinojii Mikanah and St. Mary’s Road. The proposal would delay snow clearing while allowing for reduced speed limits outside both Minnetonka School and St. Amant School. “It’s a trade-off, but I think it’s a worthwhile trade off,” Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) said. Mayes said he’s received “a lot of calls” in recent years about the volume and speed of traffic on River Road — most recently, after a child was taken to the hospital following a weekday collision near St. Mary’s Road in the fall. The Winnipeg Police Service reported a motorist struck a young pedestrian on River Road shortly before 5 p.m. on November 28. The child, who was in stable condition after the incident, was transported for treatment as a precaution, police said. City records show roughly 5,000 vehicles travel the two-lane, 50 km/h roadway on a daily basis. Transportation division manager David Patman made the case for switching its designation — from a regional street to a collector street — in a report prepared for the public works committee. The current label, which makes it a top priority for plowing after winter storms, is meant for busy thoroughfares designed to move traffic. River Road doesn’t fit that description, given it’s used for both moving traffic and accessing nearby residences, schools and parks, Patman said. His written proposal indicates the changes could ensure 30 km/h zones are installed ahead of the first day of class in September at a cost of $1,000. “This would help improve safety for students and families,” the city engineer wrote. The public works committee will discuss the recommendation on Wednesday. “I’m all for it,” said Lisa Smith, site manager of Village Child Care’s location in Minnetonka School. Smith cited the fact children are unpredictable and drivers are known to take River Road to get around construction and congestion. Area school trustee Sandy Nemeth echoed her endorsement. “This is a great move. The community will appreciate it and it will just provide safer passage and that’s always a good thing,” said Nemeth, who chairs the Louis Riel School Division’s governing board. City hall’s school board liaison recently asked trustees across Winnipeg for their input on 24/7 reduced speed school zones. There were mixed views expressed both within and across boards. Nemeth said her board came to the conclusion the city should prioritize infrastructure upgrades to slow traffic. “You can slow things down all year round, but you’re always going to have people who miss the sign,” she said. Following a news conference about recreational trail upgrades on Friday, Environment Minister Mike Moyes said he had “no problem” with lowering default speed limits on city streets. Moyes, a former teacher, would not say whether he’s in favour of updating provincial legislation — which the city has requested — to make it far cheaper and simpler to drop Winnipeg’s default limit to 40 km/h from 50 km/h. “If you’re even close to a school… I don’t care if the speed limit says that you can go 50 km/h, you should make sure that you’re going to keep kids safe,” he said. When it comes to River Road, St. Amant president Ben Adaman said he isn’t convinced lowering the limit on a route that’s “very, very congested” will better protect kids who access facilities at 440 River Rd. The kindergarten-to-Grade 12 school for children with developmental disabilities is set back from the road by about 700 metres and the posted speed limit in the front parking lot is 20 km/h. Students are either dropped off by their caregivers or the bus, Adaman said. “I don’t really see an upside,” he said, adding he suspects there will be backlash because reduced speed school zones can be “a bit of a pressure point.” “Broad stakeholder engagement is always a good idea,” Adaman said, “and it’s never too late to have a conversation.” Mayes, who isn’t on the public works committee, said he plans to advocate for a one-month delay to allow for community consultation on the proposed change. maggie.macintosh(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca>

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WFP: Charges stayed against accused in bike chop shop (Jun5'26)
by Beth McKechnie 05 Jun '26

05 Jun '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. City police executed search warrant on homeless encampment last summer in unprecedented move Charges stayed against accused in chop shop https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/06/04/charges-stayed-ag… A HIGH-PROFILE arrest of two men accused of operating a bicycle chop shop at a riverside homeless encampment last summer went nowhere in court after the Crown requested the charges be stayed. The bust at a public park on Waterfront Drive made headlines last August, when the Winnipeg Police Service announced investigators had taken the unprecedented step of applying for a search warrant before entering the makeshift tarp structure. Police seized 50 bicycle frames, 77 tires, 53 rims and other equipment believed to be stolen. Two men were charged with possession of property obtained by crime. A review of court records shows the Crown prosecutor leading the case stayed the charges against the accused on April 15. The decision means the charges are suspended but not dismissed, and could be reactivated within one year if new evidence comes to light. Court documents do not reference the reason behind the decision, but criminal defence lawyer Scott Newman said the Crown typically stays charges when there is no reasonable likelihood of conviction. “It’s hard to know (why the charges were stayed) without knowing specifically what the evidence was that they gathered,” said Newman, who was not involved in the case. “I think it’s fair to say that if this were a strong case, it’s far less likely that there would have been a stay of proceedings entered.” Search warrant documents obtained by the Free Press last year showed police began investigating the encampment in Fort Douglas Park after a city employee reported he’d been conducting a walkthrough of the site and noticed a large structure he did not believe was being used as a dwelling. The documents described the structure as being approximately 900 square feet, constructed with tarps on four sides, and containing multiple rooms with no roof. Investigators said they found evidence it was being staffed by multiple people who were working in shifts to dismantle bike parts. Daniel McIntyre Coun. Cindy Gilroy, who has been vocal about the need to strengthen encampment enforcement, said the outcome of the criminal proceedings was “very frustrating to hear.” “I was at that chop shop, so I know very well what was going on there,” Gilroy said. “It’s unfortunate because we do know that some of these crimes that are being perpetrated are well organized and gang-run, and they really are taking advantage of a lot of the homeless people who are doing the work.” Newman commended police for securing a search warrant before entering the encampment, but said it would have likely been difficult for Crown prosecutors to pursue the case without solid evidence linking the accused to the stolen goods. “They have to prove knowledge that the person knows they are in possession of the stolen thing, and that the person is in control of the object,” Newman said. “When you have an open encampment… anybody can walk in, anybody can walk out… there are all kinds of issues as to who has knowledge that there are stolen goods in there and who has control over those stolen goods. Those are two obvious issues that a Crown attorney could struggle to get past.” Cases in which stolen goods are recovered from a building are easier to pursue because lawyers can draw a direct line to the owner of the property or its residents, he said. “Let’s assume police arrested these two individuals inside that lean-to. How do you tie them to any of the items or stolen goods there? Where is the evidence the Crown can point to?” Newman said. “How can I ever prove that they’ve been here and this is their stuff, versus, maybe they just walked in.” DNA evidence or witness statements could help strengthen such a case, but it’s unclear whether that was available to prosecutors, Newman said. WPS declined to comment on the stay of proceedings Thursday, and efforts to reach the Crown leading the case were unsuccessful. Gilroy said bicycle chop shops have a significant, negative impact on the community and fuel the trade of illicit drugs. She hopes the stay of proceedings does not discourage police from pursuing charges if they uncover similar operations at encampments in the future. A spokesperson for Mayor Scott Gillingham said the outcome was “ clearly disappointing,” but police and city officials will “continue to target illegal activities like chop shops in encampments.” He declined to comment further on the case without having a full understanding of why the charges were stayed. WPS Const. Stephen Spencer said he is not aware of investigators obtaining warrants for encampments before or since the search on Waterfront Drive. — with files from Dean Pritchard tyler.searle(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:tyler.searle@freepress.mb.ca>

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