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Winnipeg Transit continues to tweak the routes on its new system, which is less than 10 months old.
The city said in a news release it’s recommending “adjustments to make Transit more reliable, increase supply to meet demand, and simplify routes.”
Those changes “are a direct result of what we’ve heard from residents,” the city’s release said.
Transit launched its new primary transit network last summer, which it called the most significant single-day transformation in its history.
The city said the overhaul was meant to make service more frequent and reliable by focusing on high-frequency routes along major corridors, with connections into neighbourhoods.
But many riders have complained the changes resulted in longer trips, more transfers and fewer stops, making Winnipeg Transit less convenient for some users.
Transit made some route and scheduling changes in December and a few more earlier this month.
The proposed changes for this summer and fall, which must still be considered by the city’s public works committee next week, are less drastic.
If approved, the following changes will be in effect June 21:
D19: Corydon: The terminal currently located on Webb Place will be relocated to Kennedy Street, bringing transit closer to the Winnipeg Clinic, Graham Avenue, Manitoba Hydro Place and Canada Life Centre.D16: Notre Dame: The route will be split into two. The new D16 will go from Polo Park to downtown via Academy, River/Stradbrook, Taché and Main. The new D18 will go from the Red River College Polytechnic Notre Dame campus to downtown via Notre Dame and William.
Additionally, Transit is recommending the on-request Zone 106 be extended south from Edison Avenue to Kimberly Avenue. That change will improve evening and weekend service in the area, Transit said.
Changes proposed for fallFX4: Gateway-Portage: Terminal at Polo Park to be moved from St. James Street to Portage Avenue.48: Transcona Blvd–McMeans: The route from Kildonan Place would be extended to the Crossroads Station at Walmart.649: Chevrier: Extend route to continue along Scurfield Boulevard through more of Whyte Ridge.650: McGillivray: Instead of turning onto Scurfield Boulevard, the route would continue along Fleetwood Road. The proposed change is driven by lower-than-expected ridership, and savings would fund extension of route 649, Transit says.678: Waverley West–Chancellor and 679: Waverley: Move the terminal for both routes from Dafoe Road to University Crescent, south of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans Office. Transit says that will address congestion at the main U of M terminal, make the routes simpler for riders and reduce pressure on the Blue Line. Route 678 would travel along University Crescent. Route 679 would travel on Chancellor Drive instead of Abinojii Mikanah.
Winnipeg Transit says it has plans to add more buses and increase frequency wherever needed in the fall. Details will be released later this summer when schedules have been finalized.