City of Winnipeg 2021 Budget - Functional Transit Winnipeg

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During the COVID-19 pandemic, tens of thousands of Winnipeggers are still depending on the transit system to get them where they need to be. Whether it’s essential health care workers getting to their jobs on the frontlines of this pandemic, families getting their kids to school, or seniors going out for groceries, everybody deserves access to an affordable, accessible, and frequent transit service.

However, the pandemic has amplified long standing issues in our transit system.

We all have a responsibility in mitigating the spread of COVID-19 by following the fundamentals, including frequent hand washing, staying home when sick, wearing a mask if possible and physical distancing. Although riders are now required to wear a non-medical cloth mask on buses, they do not offer full protection; physical distancing is still important for further reducing risk of transmission. Packed buses and insufficient service have made that difficult, if not impossible, for too many Winnipeggers.

The City of Winnipeg needs to maintain funding for our public transit system and needs to demand that our Provincial government be a partner in funding public transit during the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s why we are asking you to join our letter writing campaign urging City Councillors to commit to reversing the transit budget cuts AND pass a motion calling on the Manitoba government to commit to matching the remaining $32 million of federal dollars for transit operation funding AND to continue to support public transit in Winnipeg during the COVID-19 pandemic

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cc: Mayor Brian Bowman cc: Standing Policy Committee on Finance Chair, Councillor Scott Gillingham cc: Hon. Brian Pallister, Premier of Manitoba cc: Hon. Rochelle Squires, Minister of Municipal Relations cc: Hon. Cameron Friesen, Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living I am writing to you today to demand no cuts to Winnipeg Transit. Cutting transit’s operating expenses by $15.8M (7.9%) from last year’s projection for 2021 is unacceptable. Transit is an essential service, and we need to be providing space for physical distancing. The City must fund transit, not only to allow for physical distancing, but also to confront climate change, provide affordable transportation options and help us reduce the cost of our expanding infrastructure. Winnipeggers continue to rely on our city’s transit system to get them where they need to be. Whether it’s essential health care workers getting to their jobs on the frontlines of this pandemic, families getting their kids to school, or seniors going out for groceries, everybody deserves access to an affordable, accessible, and frequent transit service. A well-funded transit system keeps them, and our economy, moving safely. As confirmed by Finance Chair, Councillor Scott Gillingham, the City of Winnipeg has not secured any federal funding for transit operations for 2021 budget year. The federal government has allocated $65 million for transit operations in Manitoba, as reported by the Winnipeg Free Press (Pallister ponders federal transit money, delay in COVID sick-pay program). Only $33 million, or roughly half, has been confirmed for transit operations in Manitoba, as reported by the Winnipeg Free Press (Manitoba to take federal transit funding). ************ That is why I am calling on the City of Winnipeg council to reverse these cuts AND pass a motion calling on the Manitoba government to commit to matching the remaining $32 million of federal dollars for transit operation funding AND to continue to support public transit in Winnipeg during the COVID-19 pandemic. ************ If fully utilized, these funds can improve transit frequency on routes across the city, and help ensure Winnipeggers can sufficiently physically distance on buses, therefore reducing spread of COVID-19, and ultimately, saving lives. The reality is that the provincial and federal levels of government must step up to ensure adequate resources are available for Winnipeg Transit to enhance its service frequency during the COVID-19, and for ensuring a robust economic recovery. --- The benefits of investing in public transit go beyond our immediate health needs. As we look forward to a post-pandemic future, moving Manitoba forward will require strong, long-term investments in public transit, helping to stimulate the economy and put Manitoba on the road to recovery. Now is the time for the City of Winnipeg to show leadership. As a voter and concerned citizen, I will be monitoring your decisions and holding you accountable for your position on this critical issue. (your name will automatically be added to the signature at bottom of the message)

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