All candidates were sent a questionnaire put together by Functional Transit Winnipeg and given several weeks to reply. Responses have been summarized below. You can read each candidate’s full response and the questions we asked by following the link underneath each summary.
Functional Transit Winnipeg’s priorities for this election are increased operating funding for transit, implementation of a frequent service network and measures to address driver and passenger safety. We have noted comments related to those priorities in the summaries.
Three words to sum up Winnipeg’s transit system: “Behind the times.”
Gives current transit system a letter grade of D.
Calling for a full and final Bus Rapid Transit plan to connect our entire city to a central hub.
Frequency: Transit should be more frequent and convenient, and there should be more dedicated bus corridors.
Safety: To address safety issues, supports improvements like safety officers where needed.
What contributes to safety concerns are major problems in our society like alcohol and drug addiction.
Safety: Larger issues such as addiction poverty would help address safety. Supports more proactive drug rehab programs while also combatting poverty and homelessness.
Believes we need modern public transit for a modern city, and our Transit fleet should be improved and expanded instead of ignored and underfunded.
Operating funding: Plans to advocate for funding through City Hall.
Three words: Economical. Ambitious. Orange 🙂
Gives current transit system a letter grade of B.
Operating funding: Supports increased operating funding in principle.
Safety: Supports dialogue with riders and drivers to improve safety.
Frequency: Main concern is frequency of service
Transit should shape our communities, not respond to them.
It is difficult to sustain good service given the fairly low population density of many of our neighbourhoods.
Safety: Safety issues should be addressed by addressing poverty, mental health, and substance abuse issues. A safer community results in a safer transit system.
Operating funding: Will work to ensure that the City recognizes and funds Transit as a priority, and that other funding partners (the Province in particular) recognize it as a priority.
Will work to ensure that we design our communities in a way that supports an efficient transit service.
Winnipeg’s transit system in three words: “Underfunded, resilient, potential.”
Committed to working on council to make our public transit a system where everyone has access to affordable, reliable service.
Does not want transit funding to rely on fare increases, which make our system inaccessible to many low-income people.
Vision for the future of Winnipeg Transit would be a system that integrates rapid transit with active transportation, regional high-volume routes with community busing.
Safety: Solution to safety concerns is to look at the core issues, such as fare disputes, addictions and other social issues, and address the underlying issues.
Operating funding: Would work to make transit funding a priority in the city budget.
Winnipeg’s transit system in three words: “Functional, navigable, improvable.”
Gives current transit system a letter grade of B.
Believes more people want to use transit in conjunction with Winnipeg’s Active Transportation Network to move around the City efficiently, affordably and with little stress. Believes people need transit as an option to get to work, school and events both from an economical and environment perspective.
Frequency: Would like to see more frequent buses on major routes and on Sundays/Holidays. Would like to see better routing within suburbs to feed to major routes.
Supports Rapid Transit.
Wants to see what other provinces are doing to improve their transit systems and find ways to improve current fare system through Fare Zone or debit/credit “tap” systems.Would like to evaluate a Transit Inspector program over time and explore other possible options to improve safety.
Operating funding: Believes transit is a city-wide issue and would work with other councillors to see if funding could be improved. Would also look at available funds by reviewing other budgets.
Winnipeg’s transit system in three words: “Important, needed and potential.”
Public transportation is a need, not a want.
Frequency: Vision for transit is to increase service frequency, have short hub routes, increase budget for more hours and total routes, have modified service times prior to and after major events in the city, increased safety for public and drivers, improve technology for fares and transit rider software applications, overall affordability as well as availability of washrooms for transit staff.
Safety: Would establish dialogue with transit safety stakeholders and other cities to identify possible solutions.
Operating funding: Would be a strong advocate for increasing city transit funding.
Stephanie Meilleur
Did not respond to questionnaire
Harry Wolbert
Did not respond to questionnaire