Winnipeg Transit fares to see inflationary increase
The City of Winnipeg released more information on Saturday regarding Winnipeg Transit investments in the preliminary 2022 balanced budget, saying fares will see an inflationary increase of five cents.
The city said the preliminary budget shows a shortfall of $26.4 million in Winnipeg Transit, due to lower ridership caused by the pandemic.
To offset this shortfall, the budget proposes the six per cent reduction in transit services that was adopted by city council in the 2021 balanced budget update.
The proposed budget also proposes a one-time drawdown on transit’s retained earnings.
The city noted these proposals would result in a shortfall reduction of about $5.9 million and a net shortfall of $20.5 million in 2022 that would be covered by Winnipeg. It added that tax-supported subsidy to transit is proposed at $97.6 million for 2022.
“In spite of a challenging year for Winnipeg Transit finances, we are holding the line on this critical service for our economy, transportation system, and climate, while continuing to move forward with the newly adopted Winnipeg Transit Master Plan,” said Matt Allard, chairperson of the standing policy committee on infrastructure renewal and public works, in a news release.
According to the city, investments in active transportation will increase by 54.2 per cent – going from $5.8 million in 2021 to $8.9 million in 2022. Some of the active transportation investments include $1.2 million for protected bike lanes; $1 million for the Transcona Trail extension study and construction; and $825,000 in 2023 for bike path improvements on Jubilee Avenue that will connect the active transportation network from Pembina Highway to Churchill Drive.
“Active transportation is a critical tool in our fight against climate change and for providing Winnipeggers with safe and convenient transportation options, and we must continue to commit to the full implementation of the active transportation strategies, and beyond,” Allard said.
According to the city, its six-year capital investment plan includes 510.1 million in government funding to support the Transit Master Plan through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program – Public Transit Infrastructure Stream Funding application. This application includes investments for a shift to zero emission buses, the rapid transit preliminary design, and a north garage replacement.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'They needed people inside Air Canada:' Police announce arrests in Pearson gold heist
Police say one former and one current employee of Air Canada are among the nine suspects that are facing charges in connection with the gold heist at Pearson International Airport last year.
House admonishes ArriveCan contractor in rare parliamentary show of power
MPs enacted an extraordinary, rarely used parliamentary power on Wednesday, summonsing an ArriveCan contractor to appear before the House of Commons where he was admonished publicly and forced to provide answers to the questions MPs said he'd previously evaded.
Leafs star Auston Matthews finishes season with 69 goals
Auston Matthews won't be joining the NHL's 70-goal club this season.
Trump lawyers say Stormy Daniels refused subpoena outside a Brooklyn bar, papers left 'at her feet'
Donald Trump's legal team says it tried serving Stormy Daniels a subpoena as she arrived for an event at a bar in Brooklyn last month, but the porn actor, who is expected to be a witness at the former president's criminal trial, refused to take it and walked away.
Why drivers in Eastern Canada could see big gas price spikes, and other Canadians won't
Drivers in Eastern Canada face a big increase in gas prices because of various factors, especially the higher cost of the summer blend, industry analysts say.
Doug Ford calls on Ontario Speaker to reverse Queen's Park keffiyeh ban
Ontario Premier Doug Ford is calling on Speaker Ted Arnott to reverse a ban on keffiyehs at Queen's Park, describing the move as “needlessly” divisive.
'A living nightmare': Winnipeg woman sentenced following campaign of harassment against man after online date
A Winnipeg woman was sentenced to house arrest after a single date with a man she met online culminated in her harassing him for years, and spurred false allegations which resulted in the innocent man being arrested three times.
Woman who pressured boyfriend to kill his ex in 2000s granted absences from prison
A woman who pressured her boyfriend into killing his teenage ex more than a decade ago will be allowed to leave prison for weeks at a time.
Customers disappointed after email listing $60K Tim Hortons prize sent in error
Several Tim Horton’s customers are feeling great disappointment after being told by the company that an email stating they won a boat worth nearly $60,000 was sent in error.