June 2026 - AT-Network - University of Manitoba Mailing Lists

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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WFP Editorial: School zones and speed: a bad mix (Jun4'26)
by Beth McKechnie 04 Jun '26

04 Jun '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. EDITORIAL School zones and speed: a bad mix https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/editorials/2026/06/04/school-zone… THIS feels very much like one of those issues that fits into the category of “Why is this even a thing?” As the school year winds down in Winnipeg, education officials in the city recently received a briefing on “hot spots” for collisions and photo- radar ticketing near elementary schools, and strategies for reducing traffic and better protecting pedestrians in the areas surrounding school properties. In the wake of the briefing, which took place in March at Winnipeg School Division headquarters, two school zones with reduced speed limits (to 30 km/h) will be given safety upgrades this summer, in the form of traffic-calming curbs to force motorists to adhere to the lower posted limit. In addition, according to recent Free Press reporting, nine other schools were identified for inclusion in a pilot project employing high-visibility, in-street crosswalk signage placed in the middle of the road between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on school days. “There’s no cookie-cutter kind of solution, unfortunately,” said Denae Dorge, the city’s road safety outreach co-ordinator. “You need to have lots of different tools in your toolbox.” While these measures are an admirable effort to make roadways and crossings safer for students travelling to and from school, one can’t help wondering why road safety around schools continues to require additional attention in the first place. In 2014, speed limits near more than 170 Winnipeg elementary schools were reduced to 30 km/h between 7 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. from September to June; in 2019, reduced speed limits were expanded to include nearly all schools. Signage has been in place since the measures were introduced, and photo radar is often stationed within those zones to ticket offenders who ignore the reduced limit. Public education campaigns have been initiated to remind drivers of the need to slow down, and a debate has been ongoing for years over whether to extend the reduced school-zone limits year-round or to impose a 30 km/h limit on all residential streets. Add to all that the fact that it’s just simple common sense to exercise additional caution while driving through school zones — particularly during the hours when activity on sidewalks and crosswalks is at its highest — and it’s actually a bit alarming that school officials continue to grapple with the issue of making school zones safer. And yet… The frequency of speed infractions in school zones is such that the aforementioned briefing included a list identifying the 10 schools whose reduced-speed zones had the highest rates of tickets issued per hour of enforcement. Dorge’s team has “high-level plans” to analyze all the ticketing hot spots during the upcoming summer break. Among the expanded measures currently being considered is the imposition of reduced speed limits in school zones throughout the year. The WSD has already submitted a proposal to city hall requesting a year-round, 24/7 reduction in designated areas. “Our goal of reducing accidents and fatalities should not be limited to 10 months,” said Ward 9 trustee Ann Evangelista, who chairs the WSD’s environmental advisory committee. Ultimately, however, traffic safety in school zones, and on the city’s streets in general, depends on the ongoing behaviour and daily decisions of Winnipeg drivers. And for the people behind the wheel, it quite frankly couldn’t be easier: existing signage is abundant and highly visible, new attention-grabbing measures will make school-zone restrictions even harder to ignore, and the omnipresence of photo radar adds an expensive level of deterrence for would-be speed-limit scofflaws. This isn’t complicated. For the sake of the children: Just. Slow. Down.

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WFP: Construction begins on upgrades to Corydon Avenue west of Kenaston Boulevard (Jun3'26)
by Beth McKechnie 03 Jun '26

03 Jun '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Construction begins on upgrades to Corydon Avenue west of Kenaston Boulevard Smooth sailing for bumpy ride https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/06/02/construction-begi… WORK has begun on a Corydon Avenue construction project that upgrades road, water and active-transportation infrastructure in the Tuxedo area. The $7.5 million in road work on Corydon Avenue between Kenaston and Shaftesbury boulevards — funded by the municipal, provincial and federal governments — is expected to be completed by late fall, at the end of the year’s construction season. The work includes roadway paving, a new active-transportation pathway adjacent to the roadways from Kenaston to Assiniboine Park, upgrades to bus stops and new sewer and water infrastructure. All vehicle lanes on Corydon between Tuxedo Avenue and Kenaston, and from Tuxedo to Shaftesbury, will be re-paved. Municipal and provincial government officials held a news conference Tuesday at Corydon and Tuxedo avenues to highlight the project. “The federal, provincial and municipal governments are working in partnership to invest in the infrastructure needs that the citizens of Winnipeg require,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham. “This is a big improvement to Corydon Avenue, which is a key route.” Jeline Opina, the owner of Fruit de la Vie Juice Co. — a juice, smoothie and coffee bar that opened a location in the Tuxedo Junction strip mall on Corydon Avenue earlier this year — said she thinks the project, particularly the active-transportation path, will be positive for the area. “I think that would be better for the community,” she said. “I find that this strip is very active; there’s runners, there’s bikers… and right now it’s a little tricky with traffic flow.” Since the work began, she’s had some customers come in irritated about how inconvenient it is to access the strip mall parking lot in a vehicle. She said other business owners in the mall have reported a slowdown in customer traffic, but the work hasn’t had much effect on business at her shop. Many of her customers, including many students on lunch breaks from area schools, walk or cycle to the store, said Opina. One of the realities of road and infrastructure work is that residents and businesses are temporarily affected by it, said the mayor, adding city staff and consultants are supposed to be in regular contact with residents and business owners about projects in their area. The paved walking and cycling path will start on the south side of Corydon Avenue at Park Boulevard, across from the southeast entrance to Assiniboine Park. The path won’t be in a vehicle lane. The pathway will extend east along Corydon to Edgeland Boulevard, where it will cross at the pedestrian corridor and continue along the north side of Corydon Avenue up to Doncaster Street, then along the Lockston Avenue alley to Kenaston. The City of Winnipeg put about $3.6 million into the project, while the federal and provincial governments contributed about $2 million apiece. Waverley West Coun. Janice Lukes, who chairs city council’s public works committee, said the Corydon Avenue project is included in the approximately $164 million in road work planned this year. erik.pindera(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca>

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CBC: E-bike rider supports restrictions on electric bicycles in Manitoba
by Beth McKechnie 02 Jun '26

02 Jun '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIctTNTtrAk

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WFP: Safety upgrades set for school zone hot spots (Jun1'26)
by Beth McKechnie 01 Jun '26

01 Jun '26

Caution! This message was sent from outside the University of Manitoba. Safety upgrades set for school zone hot spots https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/05/31/city-taking-steps… A pair of 30-kilometre-per-hour school zones known as speeding hotspots are getting safety upgrades this summer amid a citywide probe into posted speed limits. Winnipeg school officials were recently briefed on hot spots for collisions and photo-radar tickets issued near elementary buildings between the months of September and June, when the maximum limit drops. “There’s no cookie-cutter kind of solution, unfortunately,” said Denae Dorge, the city’s road safety outreach co-ordinator. “You need to have lots of different tools in your toolbox and also, work with the families that attend your school.” Arthur E. Wright Community School in the Maples (1520 Jefferson Ave.) and H.S. Paul School (160 Southglen Blvd.) near St. Vital Centre will soon have traffic-calming curbs added to their toolboxes. A slideshow viewed by the Free Press showed both are on the city’s list of top-10 schools with the highest rates of speeding tickets per hour of enforcement in 30 km/h zones. Civil servants shared a data-packed presentation, along with new initiatives to reduce traffic and better protect pedestrians, at the Winnipeg School Division headquarters on March 10. For trustee Ann Evangelista, who represents Ward 9 residents in the inner-city division, the statistics were a wakeup call. “We could do more. We could do better, and we need to prioritize (school zone improvements),” Evangelista said, noting she was shocked to learn there’s an average of 75 crashes on city streets every day. “This is an emergency.” Four schools — Dakota Collegiate (661 Dakota St.), Victor Mager (81 Beliveau Rd.), Kelvin High School (155 Kingsway) and St. Emile School (552 St. Anne’s Rd.) — are located within 200 metres of one of the city’s top-10 problematic intersections, based on network screening data. The transportation unit ranks its priorities based on collision history, road characteristics and other issues, compared to similar locations. The Winnipeg School Division submitted a proposal to city hall to implement 24-7, year-round reduced-school speed zones in September. “Our goal of reducing accidents and fatalities should not be limited to 10 months,” said Evangelista, who chairs the board’s environmental advisory committee. While she’s personally in favour of lowering limits in all residential neighbourhoods, she said there has been no consensus among or within other boards. Members of the Manitoba School Boards Association did, however, pass a resolution at their winter convention to lobby governments to formally consult them in matters of traffic safety in and around schools. Dorge said her unit is keen to work more closely with schools to learn about particularly troublesome areas and brainstorm immediate and permanent measures. “We’re looking for more nimble ways that we can respond to safety concerns that are quick to install and quite a bit more affordable than a permanent installation,” she said. Nine schools are involved in a new pilot of in-street crosswalk signage — a traffic-calming measure that’s long been used outside the Perimeter Highway — that began in November. A total of $4,500 was budgeted to test out high-visibility signage placed in the middle of roads between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on school days. The new addition outside Frontenac School (866 Autumnwood Dr.) immediately elicited positive feedback from student patrollers, families and neighbours in St. Boniface. Principal Shauna Archer said it’s made “a huge difference” in reducing speeds on the block because drivers can’t ignore the bright yellow post and they’re forced to navigate around it. A designated stop-drop-go zone and regular communication with families are all part of the facility’s ongoing efforts to reduce congestion, Archer said. “It’s important that we’re having these conversations because it is a really essential piece of the puzzle of school,” she said. Dorge said the pilot has, largely, been seen as a success among participants, but several signs have gone missing. Along with new signage, her team is regularly reviewing parking zones and lighting and, as of last year, installing traffic-calming curbs, to improve road safety in school zones, she said. The March 10 slideshow indicates her team has “high-level plans” to analyze all of the top 10 ticket hot spots in school zones over the summer. maggie.macintosh(a)freepress.mb.ca<mailto:maggie.macintosh@freepress.mb.ca>

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