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
More than 115 cases of eye damage reported in Ontario after solar eclipse
More than 115 people who viewed the solar eclipse in Ontario earlier this month experienced eye damage after the event, according to eye doctors in the province.
Toxic testing standoff: Family leaves house over air quality
A Sherwood Park family says their new house is uninhabitable. The McNaughton's say they were forced to leave the house after living there for only a week because contaminants inside made it difficult to breathe.
Decoy bear used to catch man who illegally killed a grizzly, B.C. conservation officers say
A man has been handed a lengthy hunting ban and fined thousands of dollars for illegally killing a grizzly bear, B.C. conservation officers say.
B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization
The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.
OPP responds to apparent video of officer supporting anti-Trudeau government protestors
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says it's investigating an interaction between a uniformed officer and anti-Trudeau government protestors after a video circulated on social media.
An emergency slide falls off a Delta Air Lines plane, forcing pilots to return to JFK in New York
An emergency slide fell off a Delta Air Lines jetliner shortly after takeoff Friday from New York, and pilots who felt a vibration in the plane circled back to land safely at JFK Airport.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Last letters of pioneering climber who died on Everest reveal dark side of mountaineering
George Mallory is renowned for being one of the first British mountaineers to attempt to scale the dizzying heights of Mount Everest during the 1920s. Nearly a century later, newly digitized letters shed light on Mallory’s hopes and fears about ascending Everest.
Loud boom in Hamilton caused by propane tank, police say
A loud explosion was heard across Hamilton on Friday after a propane tank was accidentally destroyed and detonated at a local scrap metal yard, police say.