How it Works
Transitways
Transitways (also known as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridors) are high-speed roadways for buses, physically separated from the regular street system. Buses operate at high speed, free of any other traffic, providing fast, reliable service that is unaffected by traffic congestion and other incidents that might occur on the regular street system.
Benefits of Rapid Transit
Development of a rapid transit system is a key component of the City’s Transportation Master Plan to provide citizens with a viable alternative to the automobile, to reduce road congestion, and to build a transportation system that serves future generations.
The Transitway is an important ingredient in the ongoing revitalization of downtown. Rapid transit service operates into the heart of the downtown in very close proximity to major employment, shopping, medical, dental, cultural, and entertainment centres. It creates more pedestrian activity on downtown sidewalks, reduces parking needs, and frees up land currently used for surface parking for higher value uses.
Rapid transit in Winnipeg will shift a higher proportion of urban travel to the transit system by offering a higher order service characterized by high speed, high reliability, high frequency, real-time passenger information, modern ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) equipped vehicles, a flexible route network, beautiful stations, a high quality runningway, and a distinct image.
Net positive socioeconomic impacts include increased ridership (estimated 12 to 15 percent), reduced traffic congestion, reduced production of greenhouse gases and other air pollutants, improved access to downtown, and new opportunities for transit¬ oriented development (TOD) adjacent to stations. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) refers to high-density mixed-use development focused around transit stations placing the priority on pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users.
Efficient public transit enables people without driver’s licenses and those with disabilities to retain their independence by helping them get to shopping, work, and school.
By helping to make driving a car an option rather than a necessity, rapid transit reduces the need for vehicle parking lots and extensive road widening, helping to keep our City green.
Southwest Transitway Videos
Most of the Rapid Transit routes on the Southwest Transitway operate between Balmoral Station (at the University of Winnipeg) in the downtown and various destinations in Southwest Winnipeg, including the University of Manitoba.
To see how the Southwest Transitway operates you can view the videos in the embedded links below.
| What is Rapid Transit? Spend 5 minutes with us as we give you an overview of the Southwest Transitway |
| Ride along with us as we head to Downtown on the Southwest Transitway. |
| Ride along with us as we head out of Downtown and into the suburbs on the Southwest Transitway. |
