Winnipeg transit riders look forward to potential route system changes

New changes could be coming to Winnipeg Transit pending the approval of city hall. Bus riders in the city are looking forward to the potential the changes hold.

Transit riders in Winnipeg may soon need to learn a new route, pending a decision at City Hall next week. The hope is for better service, and a population that increasingly uses public transportation.

As it stands, transit riders in Manitoba’s capital believe their bus ride could be improved.

“On a scale of one to 10, it might be a four,” said Marilee Geller, who has been taking the bus for over 20 years and once blogged about the system. But she considers herself lucky.

“Where I live, I have a lot of different routes I can choose that take me downtown,” she said.

Others aren’t so fortunate.

“Sometimes I have to wait at my stop for like 30 minutes-plus, and it’s very frustrating if you’re trying to get somewhere very fast. And sometimes you have to plan your trip like two hours ahead because you are afraid you might miss the bus,” said Khalid Huzeni.

Robert Roy said he used to bus around more often, but it’s too much of a hassle now.

“I’ve never really been impressed with Winnipeg Transit,” he said. “Like today, I have a 25-minute wait for a connecting bus. Anything that would make it quicker, I think is beneficial for everybody. Especially people who are going to work or school.”