On Thursday, November 28, 2019, Functional Transit Winnipeg along with dozens of citizens spoke at the City of Winnipeg’s Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works committee against proposed transit cuts and in favour of funding a frequent service network in the 2020-2023 multi-year budget.
An unprecedented list of 60 speakers stretched the meeting to an 8-hour marathon, ending after 9pm. As a result of the lengthy meeting and unpredictable speaking time, several speakers had to leave before delivering their message to the committee. In total, the committee saw 46 speakers, with 42 of them telling the city they value public transit as a top budget priority and demanded improvements. The repeated message to the city from delegates was to fund a 10-minute frequent transit network that would provide efficient, effective transit to all Winnipeggers as a viable alternative to single-occupancy vehicles.
Functional Transit Winnipeg and its supporters are demanding implementation of a frequent service network with buses arriving every 10 minutes, seven days a week and into the evening, on all 22 rapid, direct and frequent transit routes proposed in the Transit Master Plan. This plan must be funded by the city without cuts to feeder route service, and implemented in the next four years. The proposed cuts must be taken off the table completely. Given that Winnipeggers just faced a nine percent fare increase, fares must remain frozen.
Many speakers stressed the importance of implementing a world-class transit system in the face of the climate crisis, and many benefits including reduced road infrastructure, promotion of walkable neighbourhoods, and access to quality transit for all income levels. Delegates also spoke about their personal experiences using transit and why it is a budget priority to them. Councillors Allard, Sharma and Santos were in attendance to hear the speakers.
Winnipeggers have also made their support for transit funding clear via FTW’s form email, which has been sent hundreds of times in the past month. Keep the momentum going and share the email link:
(The form email is now closed – thank you for everyone’s effort)
Council will be reviewing budget submissions over the next months and tabling the multi-year budget in February 2020. It will then be discussed at Standing Policy Committees in February and March. The budget must be voted on by Council by the end of March 2020. The fight to get funding for a frequent-service network with 10-minute frequencies isn’t over, and FTW will be keeping up this campaign over the coming months. To get involved or join FTW, email contact@functionaltransit.com.
Thank you to everyone who made the huge time commitment to come speak up for public transit. Below are just some quotes from the many impassioned and well-spoken delegates at City Hall on Nov. 28. Check out hashtag #speakfortransit on Twitter for more coverage of this inspiring day.
“We need to see Transit Master Plan rapid/direct/frequent routes implemented with buses arriving every 10 minues 7 days a week & into the evening. … We need you to be bold. We need you to act.” — Derek Koop, president of FTW
“We need a system that gets people out of their cars — that gets them to work, the doctor, the store & their leisure destinations faster and more conveniently than their cars. That’s what we need in the face of the climate crisis.” – Sandy Klowak
“As a taxpayer and a small business owner, we need strong public transit to get people around. And we need climate change resilience. A strong public transit system is required to do that.” —
Dave Nickarz, Green Party of Manitoba
“I want you to choose to invest a record amount in Winnipeg Transit, not roads.” – Mel Marginet, Green Action Centre. She encouraged a “focus on the city’s vision to be a vibrant and healthy city.”
“We cannot afford to get this budget wrong. We cannot wait 4 years in our fight against climate change. We must make dramatic cuts to our emissions, not to our public transit.” – Nicole Roach, Green Action Centre
“To cut Transit is absurd. You can’t build a real city workout functional public transportation.” — Eric Rae
“I’m here to support the continued funding of transit without cuts, active transportation, and the Transit Master Plan” — a North End Transit user
“If service deteriorates, the people who will suffer the most will be the poor, who will have to pay the increased costs and suffer the poor service because they cannot afford other transportation options, as wealthier people can.” – Jill Moats
“I commute to work by bus daily and I find I enjoy it far more than taking a car. I am dismayed we are facing cuts to our transit system and believe this is irresponsible.” — a transit rider from Windsor Park
“When we value something, we find the money for it.” – Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Transit frequency will provide “freedom for transit as a way of life. – Transit Options Network for Seniors
“When we feel the city doesn’t invest in us, we find another city to invest in.” – a student transit rider
“Every citizen that takes the bus, is less traffic, less damage on our roads.” – Kyle Owens
“Reducing transit’s budget now will sabotage the Transit Master Plan … sending it into a trash heap.” – concerned citizen
“People need to show up on time to jobs, show up on time to appointments and need a functioning transit system for that to happen. – concerned citizen
“Cuts to transit will limit the attractiveness of Winnipeg for international students, preventing us from holding onto them.” – concerned citizen
“I want to live in THEIR city.” – Brian Pincott, talking about all the presenters at City Hall on Nov. 28