Functional Transit Winnipeg is grass-roots public transit advocacy organization in Winnipeg. During this civic election, we will be watching for candidates promising to prioritize transit with greater operating funding for Winnipeg Transit.
We are watching for candidates that support the implementation of a frequent service network in Winnipeg that will reduce transfer times, increase transit convenience and improve reliability. Safety and affordability must also be prioritized.
We would like to know where public transit fits into your platform.
Cities like Ottawa and Edmonton contribute over $220 million to their transit networks, while the City of Winnipeg contributes just $65 million. To match these other cities in per capita terms, Winnipeg should be contributing $170 million.
Winnipeg needs candidates who take public transit seriously. Transit reduces the costs of municipal infrastructure, it improves urban mobility for those who prefer not to or are unable to use a private vehicle and it plays a role in addressing our city’s carbon footprint.
During the final year of the previous council’s term, we saw a real threat to transit service in Winnipeg when council raised fares by 25 cents and attempted to cut service from 22 routes across the city. Actions like these make service worse for riders, increasing the burden on those who are unable to choose alternative modes of transportation and making it more difficult for Winnipeggers to rely on transit.
Several councillors showed leadership on the transit file during the last council term. First-and-foremost Councillor Gilroy listened to her constituents and ensured transit received enough funding to prevent service cuts.
Other councillors have supported important steps in improving transit. Councillors Morantz and Gerbasi put forward a motion to have Winnipeg Transit look into creating a frequent service network in Winnipeg. Councillor Lukes promoted the idea of a frequent service network and Councillor Allard publicly demanded the 50-50 provincial funding agreement be maintained.
By its very nature, public transit does many things for many different riders. Different types of investments in transit should not be pitted against one another. We are demanding that transit be made more frequent, accessible and affordable for Winnipeggers. That is done through greater investment in operating funding without neglecting other aspects of transit investment.
We look forward to hearing the perspectives of this year’s slate of council and mayoral candidates.