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Winnipeg Transit: imperfect, but indispensable

ADAM JOHNSTON

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/analysis/2025/12/29/winnipeg-trans...

ANOTHER cold morning finds Winnipeg riders shivering at bus stops — delayed buses crawling past, full buses passing them by, safety concerns lingering and fares climbing higher. Yet thousands still depend on transit to reach jobs, classes, recreation and volunteer commitments.

As 2025 closes, Winnipeg Transit faces mounting challenges. Revitalizing public transportation is not optional — it is essential. Transit is a public good, the backbone of equity, climate action and economic vitality. Sustained investment and bold support are critical to ensure it serves those who rely on it most.

Bus safety is a major concern. Violence has surged — up 281 per cent between 2016 and 2024. Headlines of machetes and air pistols fuel further fear. Mayor Scott Gillingham’s community safety officers, launched in 2024, were meant to reassure riders. Yet with limited authority and risks of racial profiling of Indigenous and racialized riders, results have been underwhelming: 325 violent incidents were reported in 2024 alone.

Meanwhile, the new Primary Transit Network promised better service but delivered cuts. Despite some improvements, late-night service was slashed, hitting low-income neighbourhoods hard.

Affordability compounds the crisis. Adult fares will climb to $3.45 next year, while Peggo and WINNpass add unnecessary red tape. Around 90 per cent of violent incidents on Winnipeg Transit involve fare disputes — proof rising costs fuel conflict.

Trust is collapsing. A 2025 City of Winnipeg survey shows satisfaction with Winnipeg Transit has dropped to 48 per cent, alongside falling ridership compared to 2024. Years of underinvestment have left the system unsafe, unreliable and unaffordable. Winnipeg deserves better.

In an uncertain future, transit matters more than ever. With Winnipeg expected to reach one million residents within the next few decades, public transit safeguards the most vulnerable, giving them access to mobility. As Dan Hendry of Kingston, Ont.-based Get on the Bus noted in a November edition of Not Necessarily the Automobile Winnipeg radio show/podcast, transit gives youth access to volunteering, jobs and skill-building, which are critical for adulthood.

The financial case is clear: owning a car in Manitoba costs around $12,000 annually. For many in financial crisis, transit is the only fiscally responsible option for transportation. Transit is an effective climate tool, considering nearly half of city emissions come from transportation. Expanding transit cuts emissions, eases congestion and is essential to meeting climate goals.

Investment strengthens equity and community health. The Southwest Transitway, opened in 2020, improved cycling access to the University of Manitoba and Blue Bomber games, reducing isolation and connecting neighbourhoods.

The choice is stark: remain car-dependent or invest in transit as a lifeline for climate, equity and resilience. Winnipeg will pay a heavy price if we cling to the status quo — or worse, revert to an outdated system that no longer meets the needs of a growing city. Public transit is not a luxury; it is a necessity on par with postal service and health care.

Underinvestment in transit threatens Winnipeg’s competitiveness. Strong transit systems attract talent, making cities more vibrant. Prospective newcomers don’t ask about more roadways — they ask if they can get around without a car.

Ignoring core transit problems widens inequality. Vulnerable residents — low-income families, Indigenous Peoples, racialized communities and students — depend on buses to access jobs, education, recreation and connection. Cutting service or failing to improve safety only deepens divides.

Yes, frustration with Winnipeg Transit is real. But short-term anger must not push us toward greater car dependence. The real danger is derailing the investment needed to build the transit system Winnipeg deserves.

Rebuilding trust is key to repairing Winnipeg Transit. Security must improve — but not through more police or community officers. While some feel safer, this heightens tension for racialized and Indigenous Peoples who lack faith in policing. As author and activist James Wilt told The Uniter in 2024, “Law enforcement is systematically racist,” warning that more officers deter riders who fear profiling. Wilt argued investment should go to wraparound supports — affordable housing, universal health care and addictions treatment — to address root causes of insecurity.

Service improvements are vital. Winnipeg Transit’s Bjorn Radstrom said they made small adjustments after the rollout. Extended hours and revised scheduling for some routes were updated recently, but far more is needed — more feeder routes, buses, drivers and comfort at stops. Fare reform is equally urgent: Winnipeg Transit should cap adult fares at $2, make youth free, scrap Peggo/WINNpass and engage with riders consistently.

Action is needed to restore Winnipeg Transit as a public institution. Reinstate the 50/50 provincial- municipal funding cut in 2017 to support service and lower bus fares. Citizens must step up as well: ride the bus, attend council meetings, write letters and demand transit funding over road projects like Kenaston. Groups like Functional Transit Winnipeg show what’s possible. Creation of a riders’ union, like in Toronto or Seattle, could hold city hall accountable and win real gains.

Public transit is imperfect, but it’s a public good. As 2026 arrives, Winnipeg needs an efficient, safe and affordable system to meet climate goals and ensure livability for all.

Adam Johnston hosts Not Necessarily the Automobile, a show on public and active transportation Thursday mornings on 101.5 UMFM. He can be reached at notnecessarilytheautomobile@gmail.commailto:notnecessarilytheautomobile@gmail.com