Thank you to all those who provided feedback on the draft Winnipeg Transit Master Plan. Online surveys were accepted from Friday, October 9 until Friday, November 6, 2020. We received feedback through 1152 online surveys. Feedback is currently being considered and a summary of the engagement process will be posted online.

Stay informed

Stay up to date on the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan project by signing up for updates: transitmasterplan@winnipeg.ca.

The Winnipeg Transit Master Plan will be shared with Winnipeggers when it is complete, along with a report that explains how public input was used to shape the plan.

The Winnipeg Transit Master Plan is made up of a number of recommended changes related to network design, routes, and service options. It includes both short and long-term recommendations, with changes in the first five years of the plan more clearly defined and longer-term changes more conceptual. As specific projects and initiatives recommended in the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan move forward, there will be additional opportunities for public input.

In Phase Two public engagement, we described the main features of the proposed transit network:

• Different types of service matched to different levels of demand for transit, including a primary network that provides frequent service along Winnipeg’s major streets
• Different types of places to connect to transit that make it easier and more comfortable to change buses
• How transit will change
• The proposed routes of the new network

Over 4,000 Winnipeggers gave their input to Phase Two public engagement, with three-quarters of those who responded supporting the proposed new network concept.

We also heard that Winnipeggers want more information on how we plan to ensure the new transit network, including rapid transit, is accessible to people of all ages and abilities, and how Winnipeg Transit Plus can be better integrated with the rest of the transit system.

In Phase Three of public engagement, we are asking for your feedback on our draft plans for rapid transit and improving accessibility. Your input will be included with the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan when it is presented to City Council for consideration and will help inform plans for implementation.

November 9, 2020 - Thank you to all those who provided feedback on the draft Winnipeg Transit Master Plan. Online surveys were accepted from Friday, October 9 until Friday, November 6, 2020. We received feedback through 1152 online surveys. Feedback is currently being considered and a summary of the engagement process will be posted online.

October 9, 2020 – Phase Three of public engagement for the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan has begun. In the fall of 2019, we asked for public input on a proposed new transit system. We have included the public’s feedback into the draft Winnipeg Transit Master Plan and are now asking Winnipeggers to share their thoughts on rapid transit and accessibility. To learn more and provide your feedback, please visit the “Engage” tab.

January 15, 2020 – Information sessions with Winnipeg Transit Plus users have concluded. We are reviewing feedback, and will include considerations from these sessions in Phase Three of the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan.

November 26, 2019 – Phase Two of public engagement for the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan has wrapped up. Thank you to all who attended our workshops, community conversations and drop-in events, and to everyone who provided feedback through the online survey or email. Approximately 400 people attended our in-person events, and 3,762 people provided feedback through our online survey.

We are currently reviewing feedback received, and will report back on how this feedback was considered when the plan is presented for Phase Three public engagement in early 2020.

October 25, 2019 – Phase Two of the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan public engagement has begun. We want to hear Winnipeggers’ feedback and input into the proposed network design, including the proposed routes. Your input will inform the draft Winnipeg Transit Master Plan, which we will share with you in early 2020. Please visit the Engage tab for more information.

April 23, 2019 – Thank you to all who attended the public events and provided feedback during Phase One of the Transit Master Plan engagement. Feedback is currently being considered and a summary of the engagement process will be posted online. Please visit the Engage tab for more information.

Stay up-to-date on the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan project by signing up for updates: transitmasterplan@winnipeg.ca.

Different areas of the city have different needs for transit. For example, there are usually more riders along major streets and fewer riders in suburban residential areas.

The Winnipeg Transit Master Plan proposes different types of service to meet different needs and demand. The service types are connected to help people get around the city. The proposed service types were presented for input in Phase Two of public engagement.

Based on what we heard in Phase Two, we have updated the service types to include accessible service as part of the feeder network, rather than a separate category.

Primary network – The map below shows the proposed primary network.

The three rapid transit lines are part of the primary network, along with frequent and direct lines throughout the city.

Primary network lines will run every five to 20 minutes all day, every day (except late at night), and stops will be spaced several blocks apart to let transit travel faster. Primary network lines will run often enough that you won’t need to follow a schedule.

Primary network lines are simpler and straighter than many current routes. Simple, straight lines mean transit reaches its destination faster and can run more frequently.

Click on the image below to see the full map of the primary network.

The full network is made up of both primary and feeder networks.

The feeder network is made up of community and connector routes and on-demand and accessible services to connect transit users to the primary network. Feeder network routes will avoid congested areas and stay on time more often.

Only primary network lines will run Downtown. These lines will be simple and straight with fewer turns. Every line that goes Downtown will be very frequent with buses arriving every 5 to 15 minutes.

Transit stations around Downtown will allow people to connect between the rapid, frequent and direct lines on the primary network. Over time, infrastructure will be built to give transit priority and speed up trips.

Winnipeg Transit Plus will be integrated with the rest of the transit network. For some customers, Winnipeg Transit Plus will act as a feeder, transporting them to a nearby accessible stop on the conventional transit network to complete their trip. This option will not work for everyone. Some people will continue to have the option of door-to-door service in a Winnipeg Transit Plus vehicle. Learn more about what we propose for accessible transit in the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan.

Click on the image below to see the long-term network plan. This network will be implemented over the next 25 years.

The Winnipeg Transit Master Plan proposes expanding rapid transit service to much of the rest of the proposed network in three to seven years. One advantage of bus rapid transit is that the service can be introduced before special infrastructure is built, and infrastructure investments can be targeted to where they are needed most to bypass congestion.

The short-term network plan shows the network of rapid transit service and other routes that will be implemented in the next three to seven years. This plan is based on existing infrastructure and expected ridership. In some cases, when rapid transit service begins on a new line, the bus may not travel to the end of the line as proposed in the long-term network plan.

For example, on Line B (Main Street to St. Mary’s Road), the short-term network plan proposes that rapid transit service will end at St. Vital Centre. In the long-term network plan, Line B will go to the Perimeter Highway. Even when the long-term network plan is put in place, at first every second bus on Line B may go to the Perimeter Highway, with every other bus turning around at St. Vital Centre. Once there are enough riders on the portion of the line south of St. Vital Centre, every bus will run to the Perimeter Highway.

As we introduce rapid transit service on a corridor, current bus routes in that area will change to connect people to the rapid transit line and the rest of the primary network. There will be more opportunities for input on the feeder network before the routes change.

Click on the image below to see the short-term network plan. If approved by City Council, this plan will be implemented over the next three to seven years.

The Winnipeg Transit Master Plan will set criteria for providing transit service in new and developing communities. Transit service will be introduced in the following steps:

• On-request service will be provided based on the number of people living in the area
• A community route will replace on-request service based on the number of riders
• New community routes will run during peak hours at first and add service in off-peak hours and on weekends as needed to meet demand
• A connector route will replace the community route based on the number of riders

The Winnipeg Transit Master Plan introduces key changes to both rapid transit service and rapid transit infrastructure.

Rapid transit service is transit that has limited stops and runs very frequently, all day, every day.

Rapid transit infrastructure includes the built features that make sure rapid transit service is frequent, reliable, and efficient. Rapid transit infrastructure can range from small things like intelligent traffic signals to larger projects, such as a proposed elevated transitway for Union Station.

The Winnipeg Transit Master Plan proposes three rapid transit lines that cover six corridors or major routes throughout the city. All three rapid transit lines will connect Downtown on Main Street between Portage Avenue and Stradbrook Avenue.

The diagram below shows the proposed rapid transit lines and stops to be developed over the next 25 years, including stations where you can transfer between rapid lines and between rapid transit and other routes.

To start, rapid transit will be put in place using buses. Each line has the potential to be changed to light rail in the future based on demand. By using buses, we can begin to provide rapid transit service (frequent service with limited stops) before special infrastructure is built, and infrastructure investments can be targeted to where they are needed most to bypass congestion. This approach allows us to provide rapid transit to more people sooner and for less cost than light rail transit.

Rapid transit service is defined by three main factors:

• High frequency: Buses every five minutes in rush hour, never more than a 15-minute wait
• Few stops: At least a 10-minute walk (700 m) between stops outside Downtown
• Longest operating hours: Runs seven days a week during all hours of transit service

The newest phase of rapid transit service began in Winnipeg on April 12, 2020, with the launch of BLUE (part of Line A) on the southwest corridor, using the Southwest Transitway. The Winnipeg Transit Master Plan proposes expanding rapid transit service to much of the rest of the proposed network in three to seven years.

In some cases, when rapid transit service begins on a new line, every bus may not travel all the way to the end of the line. This will be based on the number of riders along the line. For example, on the proposed Line B (Main Street to St. Mary’s Road), every second bus would stop and turn around at St. Vital Centre, with every other bus continuing south to the Perimeter Highway. The line south of St. Vital Centre will still have frequent service (every 10 minutes in rush hour). Once there are enough riders on this portion of the line, buses will run more frequently (every five minutes in rush hour).

As we introduce rapid transit service on a corridor, current bus routes in that area will change to connect people to the rapid transit line.

The Winnipeg Transit Master Plan proposes to build rapid transit infrastructure based on what is needed on each corridor to make sure that rapid transit is frequent, reliable, and efficient.

The most basic rapid transit infrastructure is on an existing street. In places with little congestion, there is no need to build new infrastructure for many years – rapid transit service can be provided on the existing street.

Where needed, rapid transit will use one of two types of infrastructure to improve reliability: priority infrastructure or fully separated infrastructure.

Priority infrastructure means targeted changes we can make to existing roads that allow transit to bypass congestion and move more reliably across the city. These infrastructure changes may include:

• Diamond lanes, whether full-time or part-time, shared with taxis, vehicles making right turns, and bicycles
• Short transit-only lanes, known as queue jump lanes, at busy intersections
• Priority traffic signals
• Changes to on-street parking
• Changes to bus stop locations and configurations

Infrastructure changes will be prioritized based on where they are needed most to ensure that rapid transit is frequent, reliable, and efficient.

Over time, fully separated transitways could be developed on the entire proposed rapid network. These can take many forms, but always provide space that can only be used by transit. All fully separated transitways will be designed to be able to be converted to light rail in the future.

Fully separated transitways are different from diamond lanes. Taxis, bicycles, and turning vehicles share diamond lanes—they do not share fully separated transitways. Only transit vehicles are allowed on fully separated transitways. There are a number of different options for fully separated transitways. See “Transitway types” for examples.

The diagram below shows proposed investment programs for rapid transit infrastructure in order of priority. The priority order is based on a number of factors, including building and operating costs, benefit to riders, vehicle impact, complexity and social factors. The priorities provide a guideline for investment and the programs can be built in part or in whole depending on funding. The priorities are described below.

Priority 1 – Downtown Transitways

Transitways will be built along Main Street from Higgins Avenue in the north to St. Mary’s Road at Taché Avenue in the southeast and along Portage Avenue from the University of Winnipeg to Westbrook Street in the east. Key infrastructure in this program includes an elevated transitway through Union Station from William Stephenson Way to Harkness Station.

Priority 2 – North Transitway, Southwest Transitway Extension

North transitway: Transitway infrastructure from Main Street at Higgins Avenue to Inkster Boulevard in the north and along Sutherland Avenue to the Louise Bridge.

Southwest transitway: Transitway infrastructure to connect St. Vital Centre to the University of Manitoba. Key infrastructure includes a rapid transit bridge across the Red River, as an extension of the Southwest Corridor, and interchange stations between the Southwest and Southeast Corridors at St. Vital Centre and Meadowood.

On the existing southwest transitway, this program also includes an expansion of Jubilee Station.

Priority 3 – Grant and Southeast Priority Corridors, North Transitway Extension

Grant corridor: Priority infrastructure on Grant Avenue from Pembina Highway to William Clement Parkway/Moray Street, on Moray Street from Grant Avenue to Portage Avenue, and on Sturgeon Road from Portage Avenue to Ness Avenue.

Southeast corridor: Priority infrastructure from Taché Avenue to St. Vital Centre. Key infrastructure includes a walking connection to Riverview Health Centre across the Red River.

North transitway: Fully separated transitway on Main Street from Inkster Boulevard to Kildonan Park and priority infrastructure on Main Street from Kildonan Park to Fernbank Avenue.

Priority 4 – East and West Transitways

East transitway: Fully separated transitways on Nairn Avenue and Regent Avenue to Kildonan Place. Priority infrastructure on Regent Avenue from Kildonan Place to Plessis Road. Key infrastructure includes:
- Nairn Avenue overpass of CP main line
- Lagimodière Boulevard overpass

West transitway: Fully separated transitways on Portage Avenue from the University of Winnipeg to Unicity. Key infrastructure includes a mobility hub at Polo Park that provides access to and from the transitway on Portage Avenue.

A transitway is a road that is only used by transit.

The diagrams below show three different types of fully separated transitways.

The different options for fully separated transitways will be used based on what works best for the specific area to keep transit and vehicle traffic from crossing paths too often, while providing pedestrian access to transit stops and stations.

Most fully separated transitways outside of Downtown will be centre running, including most of Portage Avenue and Main Street. Transitways in other areas, such as Downtown, will be based on the physical constraints of the existing roadways and neighbourhoods.

The Winnipeg Transit Master Plan lays out a vision for the future of our transit system. It includes a number of recommended changes to network design, routes, service, and infrastructure.

Once the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan is complete, it will be presented to City Council for its consideration. Once the plan is approved by Council, work can begin to put the recommended changes in place. As these changes move forward, there will be additional opportunities for public input. The graphic below gives a snapshot of how changes will happen in three key areas: improving Winnipeg Transit Plus, introducing the new transit network (routes), and building rapid transit infrastructure.

All three rapid transit lines will meet on Main Street between Portage Avenue and Stradbrook Avenue. The renderings below show concepts of how this could look. These concepts will require more detailed design and study before anything is built.

All new transit stations will be built to the City of Winnipeg Accessibility Design Standards, to make transit more accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

Union Station will be the central hub of the rapid transit network. All three rapid transit lines (A, B, and C) and five other frequent and direct lines (D, K, L, Q, and T) will meet at Union Station (click here to see the map of all rapid, frequent, and direct lines). The different lines will be routed through three locations:

The proposed plans for Union Station include improvements for accessibility. The pedestrian crossing at Broadway and Main Street will be improved and there will be better pedestrian access to The Forks.

There will also be new and improved bike paths to connect Union Station to The Forks.

Several changes are proposed at the intersection of Queen Elizabeth Way, Mayfair Avenue, and Stradbrook Avenue:

The proposed network design includes seven primary network lines that travel through Portage and Main (all three rapid transit lines and four frequent lines; see a map of the full network here, including detail of Downtown). We have identified a need to create a transit station at Portage and Main that enables people to make connections between transit lines in a way that is universally accessible while respecting the results of the 2018 plebiscite. This station will be the subject of a separate study that will include further technical analysis and public engagement.

We have also identified alternative routing that would allow us to implement the proposed rapid transit service plan prior to building a new transit station at Portage and Main, if needed. The alternative routes would allow us to implement rapid transit service (high frequency, seven days a week, with limited stops) using existing bus stops (see the short-term network plan for details).

Building fully separated transitways Downtown will help transit move faster, making it more efficient and reliable. With buses removed from traffic, other vehicles will move a little faster too, even with less space.

The graphic below compares estimated travel times Downtown during the afternoon rush hour in 2044 with no street changes to estimated travel times with rapid transit. With rapid transit, the average person will save three minutes travelling through Downtown by car and bus. Approximately 50,000 people will travel through Downtown each day, resulting in a total time savings of 150,000 minutes just during afternoon rush hour.

Accessibility and Winnipeg Transit Plus

In Phase One public engagement, we heard that making transit more accessible to people of all ages and abilities is important to Winnipeggers. In Phase Two public engagement, we also heard from participants who want accessibility to be improved throughout the transit system to make transit more safe and useable for people with disabilities.

Improving accessibility and integrating Winnipeg Transit Plus with conventional transit are important goals of the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan to enable people of all ages and abilities to move around the city. To understand the current issues and develop proposed changes, we:

• Reviewed the Manitoba Ombudsman’s report on Winnipeg Transit Plus, the Accessibility for Manitobans Act, and what is being done for accessible transit in other cities
• Audited 1,112 bus stops for accessibility based on the City of Winnipeg Accessibility Design Standards
• Held two information sessions with Winnipeg Transit Plus users

Based on this information, we are proposing the following changes to Winnipeg Transit Plus and the rest of the transit system to enable people with disabilities to access and use transit with greater convenience, flexibility, and safety:

• Update Winnipeg Transit Plus policies to bring them in line with the Accessibility for Manitobans Act and best practices for accessible transit
• Identify places where two or more transit routes meet, and people are likely to transfer, and prioritize these for accessibility improvements to be completed with other transit infrastructure projects
• Pilot an option for some customers to use Winnipeg Transit Plus and conventional transit together—providing more freedom and flexibility to these customers, and enabling Winnipeg Transit Plus to serve more customers overall

Places where people connect within the transit network will be priorities for accessibility

One of the key steps to make our transit network more accessible is to ensure that places where people connect to transit are accessible. In the proposed network, there will be four types of places where people can connect to transit: stops, junctions, stations, and hubs.

The Winnipeg Transit Master Plan commits to making transit junctions, stations, and hubs fully accessible. This includes making sure that:

• Transit stops on opposite sides of the street are near each other—this allows you to start and end your trip near the same place
• Transit stops are near crosswalks at intersections
• Sidewalks connect to the transit stops at junctions, stations, and hubs
• Sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic lights, and curbs are universally accessible
• The distance to walk or roll between transit routes is as short as possible
• There are heated shelters and real-time transit information available
• New stations and all other infrastructure improvements follow the City of Winnipeg Accessibility Design Standards

Winnipeg Transit will work with other City departments to make these improvements, including with Public Works to review signal timing.

As part of the Winnipeg Transit Master Plan, 1,112 bus stops throughout the city were audited based on the City of Winnipeg Accessibility Design Standards. Every stop received a score between 0 and 100 percent. About one-third of stops (378) scored as “good,” meaning they are generally accessible to people with visual, cognitive, and physical disabilities. Ninety-six stops (about eight percent) failed, meaning they are not accessible and it is difficult to get on and off the bus safely.

The results of this audit will be used in two ways:

• Transit stops with “good” scores can be part of a pilot project for some Winnipeg Transit Plus customers to use a combination of Winnipeg Transit Plus and conventional transit to travel around the city
• Locations with a low score that will become transit junctions, stations, or hubs in the proposed network will be prioritized for accessibility improvements when other infrastructure improvements are being made (see the draft plan for rapid transit infrastructure diagram for proposed infrastructure programs and priorities)

Integrating Winnipeg Transit Plus with the conventional network

By making conventional transit more accessible, we can provide more travel options for people with disabilities. One of these options is to combine Winnipeg Transit Plus service and conventional transit for customers whose abilities allow it, providing them more freedom and flexibility.

In this option, a Winnipeg Transit Plus vehicle brings customers from their home to an accessible transit junction, or from an accessible transit junction to their destination, or both. Winnipeg Transit Plus staff will have the information and training they need to help customers plan combined trips. Winnipeg Transit also will provide travel training resources to assist customers in making combined trips door to door.

Before piloting this option, we will make sure the following infrastructure and support is in place:

• Accessible transit junctions, stations, and hubs – locations where customers can easily walk or roll to connect to conventional transit, as detailed above in “Places where people connect within the transit network will be priorities for accessibility”
• Accessible buses – currently, all of Winnipeg Transit’s buses are low-floor, with audible next stop announcements and a visual display of next stops. As buses are replaced, new vehicles will include updated wheelchair securement systems. Winnipeg Transit will also improve signage and public education about priority seating areas to encourage riders to make sure these areas are available for those who need them.
• Accessible destinations – Winnipeg Transit Plus will identify and track destinations that can be reached by an accessible path from rapid transit stations and hubs.
• Trip planning system and eligibility criteria – Winnipeg Transit Plus will upgrade its scheduling system to include information about accessible transit junctions, stations, and hubs and accessible destinations. The eligibility criteria for Winnipeg Transit Plus will also be updated to identify customers who are able to use both conventional transit and Winnipeg Transit Plus. Winnipeg Transit Plus staff will be able to help customers plan trips that use Winnipeg Transit Plus and the conventional system, connecting to the conventional system at accessible locations.

Here is how a trip using both Winnipeg Transit Plus and conventional transit could work:

• Winnipeg Transit Plus vehicle picks up customer at home and transports them to an accessible rapid transit station on Line A (the BLUE rapid transit line).
• Customer boards an accessible bus on Line A. The average wait time is three to five minutes during the day. Rapid transit buses run every five minutes during peak times and every 10 minutes at off-peak times.
• Customer disembarks at Union Station and proceeds to accessible pick-up/drop-off zone. (See draft concept below.)
• Winnipeg Transit Plus vehicle picks up customer to take them to their final destination Downtown.

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Winnipeg Transportation Master Plan (adopted 2011)

Climate Action Plan

OurWinnipeg Plan (adopted 2011)

OurWinnipeg Sustainable Transportation Strategy (adopted 2011)

OurWinnipeg Review: Phase 1 Report to the Community (March 14, 2018)