Latest news with #JaniceLukes
CTV News
2 days ago
- CTV News
Plan to better shield Winnipeg bus drivers moving ahead
Jeff Keele reports on the city's search for a manufacturer to build an improved shield to protect bus drivers. The City of Winnipeg has released an expression of interest to see if someone can make an extension or full shield to completely surround drivers on transit buses. Shields were installed on all city buses in 2019, following the 2017 stabbing death of a driver. Right now they cover most of the area around the driver's seat. Amalgamated Transit Union President Chris Scott said it protects drivers from getting sucker punched from behind but still leaves them vulnerable. 'Now assailants have become more brazen and they're now reaching around the shield to get at the operator to the point where they're even grabbing the steering wheel, which puts everybody on the bus and outside the bus in jeopardy,' said Scott. Public Works Committee Chair, Coun. Janice Lukes, agrees. 'It's a different world now, unfortunately, it is a different world now, it's a crazy world,' said Lukes. Both Lukes and Scott say the option to replace the current ones with a full shield might make the most sense for both safety and cost. 'I'm hoping it comes back and we get a reasonable price on a full wrap-around (shield). That's what I'm hoping for,' said Lukes. 'If an extension is going to cost $10,000 to $15,000 and we can find a full enclosure for that price from a provider, then why not put the smart money on the full enclosure?' said Scott. Lukes said there is around $2.4 million in the budget for the shield upgrades. She said that might not be enough to retrofit all 600 buses but suggested the province could help foot the bill.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
City of Winnipeg's long-term transportation strategy calls for $4.3B overhaul in next 25 years
A new plan to overhaul Winnipeg's transportation system calls for $4.3 billion in spending over the next 25 years. On Friday, the City of Winnipeg released its Transportation 2050 strategy, an update to the city's transportation master plan. It outlines a vision for the city as a hub for transporting goods, while encouraging more people to shift away from single-passenger vehicles and toward active transportation and public transit. "Winnipeg is a global multimodal transportation hub," public works committee chair Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) said in an interview. "It's the heartbeat of our economy, right? Moving goods is a huge factor in economic development." The plan recommends a number of pilot projects, including designated truck lanes, secure bike parking, reduced parking on arterial roads and autonomous bus testing. A report, to be discussed at next Thursday's public works meeting, says automated buses "are ready for real-world testing and Winnipeg's Southwest Transitway is an ideal testing location, as a fully separated right-of-way that experiences cold and winter conditions." Lukes says the city won't be able to do everything in the plan immediately and will need to come up with a list of priorities. The report says the city has identified billions of dollars in unfunded, but necessary, infrastructure upgrades, with many bridges nearing the end of their useful life. Mayor Scott Gillingham said the city continues to seek funding from other levels of government for major infrastructure projects, like widening Kenaston Boulevard and extending Chief Peguis Trail. "We cannot deliver services as a city to the residents if we don't have a strong economy, because we need the revenue from a strong economy to fund the services that we provide to Winnipeggers," he said. "And so I believe we really need to look closely at investment in our trade routes. We've talked about Kenaston/Route 90, and the upgrades that need to happen there — Chief Peguis Trail extension as well. Those are economic routes." More changes could also come to downtown's Graham Avenue after Winnipeg Transit's new primary network goes into effect later this month. The new transit network will move all buses off Graham and over to Portage Avenue. "That provides a great opportunity. It's almost like Graham Avenue is a blank slate and can be reimagined for something really different and invigorating," Gillingham said. The report recommends removing the street's designation as a truck route between Vaughan Street and Carlton Street, as well as between Fort Street and Main Street. It also calls for reducing the speed limit between Vaughan and Carlton from 50 km/h to 30. The city's CentrePlan 2050 document, which outlines extensive changes throughout the downtown to increase the number of people living and walking in the neighbourhood, includes a number of projects for Graham Avenue. They include installing benches and other amenities, bike connectivity, and greening the street. Work on those projects is expected to begin this summer after the transit network switches over. After years of study and sometimes contentious public feedback, the city has released its final report on the Marion Street corridor improvements study. A previous plan to widen the street met significant public opposition, leading the city to abandon it in 2016 and come up with a new plan. That plan calls for a total of $133.3 million in new spending, including bike lanes, multi-use paths, intersection upgrades and other improvements along the corridor in St. Boniface. The plan, if fully implemented, would require the full or partial acquisition of 65 properties, at a cost of about $14 million. The report sets a goal of starting construction by 2030.
CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
City of Winnipeg's long-term transportation strategy calls for $4.3B overhaul in next 25 years
Social Sharing A new plan to overhaul Winnipeg's transportation system calls for $4.3 billion in spending over the next 25 years. On Friday, the City of Winnipeg released its Transportation 2050 strategy, an update to the city's transportation master plan. It outlines a vision for the city as a hub for transporting goods, while encouraging more people to shift away from single-passenger vehicles and toward active transportation and public transit. "Winnipeg is a global multimodal transportation hub," public works committee chair Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) said in an interview. "It's the heartbeat of our economy, right? Moving goods is a huge factor in economic development." The plan recommends a number of pilot projects, including designated truck lanes, secure bike parking, reduced parking on arterial roads and autonomous bus testing. A report, to be discussed at next Thursday's public works meeting, says automated buses "are ready for real-world testing and Winnipeg's Southwest Transitway is an ideal testing location, as a fully separated right-of-way that experiences cold and winter conditions." Lukes says the city won't be able to do everything in the plan immediately and will need to come up with a list of priorities. The report says the city has identified billions of dollars in unfunded, but necessary, infrastructure upgrades, with many bridges nearing the end of their useful life. Mayor Scott Gillingham said the city continues to seek funding from other levels of government for major infrastructure projects, like widening Kenaston Boulevard and extending Chief Peguis Trail. "We cannot deliver services as a city to the residents if we don't have a strong economy, because we need the revenue from a strong economy to fund the services that we provide to Winnipeggers," he said. "And so I believe we really need to look closely at investment in our trade routes. We've talked about Kenaston/Route 90, and the upgrades that need to happen there — Chief Peguis Trail extension as well. Those are economic routes." Graham Avenue 'a blank slate': mayor More changes could also come to downtown's Graham Avenue after Winnipeg Transit's new primary network goes into effect later this month. The new transit network will move all buses off Graham and over to Portage Avenue. "That provides a great opportunity. It's almost like Graham Avenue is a blank slate and can be reimagined for something really different and invigorating," Gillingham said. The report recommends removing the street's designation as a truck route between Vaughan Street and Carlton Street, as well as between Fort Street and Main Street. It also calls for reducing the speed limit between Vaughan and Carlton from 50 km/h to 30. The city's CentrePlan 2050 document, which outlines extensive changes throughout the downtown to increase the number of people living and walking in the neighbourhood, includes a number of projects for Graham Avenue. They include installing benches and other amenities, bike connectivity, and greening the street. Work on those projects is expected to begin this summer after the transit network switches over. Marion Street upgrades After years of study and sometimes contentious public feedback, the city has released its final report on the Marion Street corridor improvements study. A previous plan to widen the street met significant public opposition, leading the city to abandon it in 2016 and come up with a new plan. That plan calls for a total of $133.3 million in new spending, including bike lanes, multi-use paths, intersection upgrades and other improvements along the corridor in St. Boniface. The plan, if fully implemented, would require the full or partial acquisition of 65 properties, at a cost of about $14 million. The report sets a goal of starting construction by 2030.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Moving trucks off Graham Avenue part of proposed revamp
A new proposal would slow down traffic on parts of Graham Avenue and redirect trucks to other streets. A report calls for city council to reduce the speed limit on Graham to 30 km/h from 50 km/h between Vaughan and Carlton streets and remove the full-time truck route designation. 'Graham Avenue is going to become a very focal point for downtown. It's going to become an area that will be activated … It's going to become a much more people-oriented, populated, activity-oriented street and that's been part of the downtown plan,' said Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES 'Graham Avenue is going to become a very focal point for downtown,' said Coun. Janice Lukes. She noted Winnipeg Transit's new primary network will move most transit service off Graham later this month, clearing the way for change. She expects a speed limit reduction would take a couple of months to implement. Lukes said the traditional reliance on the avenue as a key bus corridor, with some sections not even open to cars, means the changes shouldn't create much commuter delay. The new rules should support a growing number of downtown residents, she said. 'Downtown has to have neighbourhoods. It's not just, go there, leave there. We're putting a lot of housing in (that area),' said Lukes. Mayor Scott Gillingham said changes to Winnipeg Transit create an opportunity to transform the avenue. 'It's almost like Graham Avenue is a blank slate and it can be reimagined (to become) something really different and invigorating,' said Gillingham. The city's key downtown vision, CentrePlan 2050, calls for an overhaul of Graham, suggesting it could become a cycling connection and open space. Gillingham said he'd like to see a pedestrian mall on the avenue and believes any driver delay from the changes would be limited. 'When it's such a short street, when you drive 30 km/h as opposed to 50, the difference on three or four blocks is seconds,' he said. Shifting buses elsewhere and reducing the speed limit could make the area easier to access, said one business owner. 'Having cars added to Graham, I do think that's probably a good idea and helpful for the local businesses. I think it was fairly chaotic having just buses ripping up and down Graham Avenue… As a general rule, I support speed reduction … I think having a calmer Graham Avenue is a good thing,' said Graham Bargen, co-owner of the Thom Bargen coffee shop at Kennedy Street and Graham Avenue. However, Bargen said he is concerned limiting truck traffic would create an obstacle for deliveries. Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. 'That will be an added challenge. We're a coffee roaster and we receive pallets of coffee… we do need to be able to get product in and out,' he said. In a written statement, the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ expressed support for the changes. 'We believe these changes on Graham support the overall plan to improve safety, connectivity and vibrancy downtown. We're looking forward to the transformation of this street into a pedestrian-friendly hub, where people can gather and connect,' wrote Kate Fenske, chief executive officer of the BIZ. X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
01-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Online tool lets transit riders take incoming spine-and-feeder network for a spin
Winnipeggers can start planning for a massive transformation that's set to alter virtually every bus route. Winnipeg Transit will launch a new primary transit network on June 29. On Thursday, transit posted the upcoming schedules online, so users can try out virtual trips and sort out their best options in advance. Mayor Scott Gillingham said the information will help prepare riders for the biggest single-day change in Winnipeg Transit's history. 'With this new network, you'll be able to get anywhere in Winnipeg more easily on routes that are more frequent, more reliable and more direct. It means faster commutes, shorter wait times and better customer service… This is big. This is bold change,' said Gillingham. On Thursday, Winnipeg Transit posted the upcoming schedules online, so users can try out virtual trips and sort out their best options in advance. On Thursday, Winnipeg Transit posted the upcoming schedules online, so users can try out virtual trips and sort out their best options in advance. Riders can visit to preview stops, routes, and trip plans. The new primary network will use a spine-and-feeder concept, where direct spines along major corridors are supported by a network of feeder routes throughout the city. 'It's a big change for passengers and we know how people like change,' joked Coun. Janice Lukes, chairwoman of public works. 'So, I think all the information we're launching today, all the training that we're offering, will help demystify this transformation.' Lukes (Waverley West) said some of the most frequent routes will have buses arrive so often that Winnipeggers can just show up at times without checking the schedule first. 'It will make transit better, so much better that probably our next big issue will be overcrowding on the buses because that's what we're seeing with the Blue Line (now),' she said. Lukes said Winnipeg Transit's Blue Line, which stretches from southwest Winnipeg to downtown, has operated in similar fashion to the new network since 2020, proving the concept works. To support the broader change, the councillor said 'travel trainers' will help educate the public, including students and seniors groups, about the new system. Bus drivers will receive extra help when they sign up for specific routes in the next week or so, said Bjorn Radstrom, Winnipeg Transit's manager of service development. 'It will make transit better, so much better that probably our next big issue will be overcrowding on the buses because that's what we're seeing with the Blue Line (now).'–Coun. Janice Lukes 'We want them to not just know the route they're driving, but understand the entire network,' said Radstrom. Winnipeg Transit has had a shortage of drivers in recent years but heavy recruitment has recently paid off, with sufficient drivers now in place to carry out a full summer schedule, he said. 'It's looking better than it has in a very long time,' said Radstrom. Transit said bus routes are operating at six per cent below normal, but full service should be restored in the summer. Once the new network is implemented, a bus is expected to arrive every five to 15 minutes along each of the most frequent routes during peak periods, while connector route buses would come every 15 to 30 minutes, the city's website says. Radstrom said the city hopes to release its fall schedule by July to allow more planning time for updated school routes. Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. A transit advocate expects the new network will greatly improve service. 'Frequent service helps so many people to be able to rely on the system because it reduces uncertainty and provides access to more buses more often, with shorter waits, faster transfers and increased reliability. There are sweeping benefits,' said Kyle Owens, president of Functional Transit Winnipeg. Owens said routes are all interconnected, so it makes sense to overhaul the system at once, while the early route notice will help users prepare for it. The new system will require more transfers on many routes, though these should be more reliable, while riders may have to adjust to community routes ending earlier in the evening, he said. 'Fewer stops getting them across the city quickly is fantastic but (passengers) are going to need to anticipate when the feeder routes may end,' said Owens. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS A new bus stop sign on Notre Dame Avenue near Ellen Street. Winnipeg Transit will launch a new primary transit network on June 29. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS A new bus stop sign on Notre Dame Avenue near Ellen Street. Winnipeg Transit will launch a new primary transit network on June 29. The head of the union that represents transit drivers welcomed Thursday's commitment to help prepare drivers for the new routes. In the meantime, he urged the public to be patient. 'We are concerned about people being impatient with this change, taking out their frustrations on the others… riding the bus or our operators,' said Chris Scott, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505. Transit will provide drivers with business cards that contain QR codes that they can give passengers to look up information en route, he said. 'That's something small and convenient that an operator can grab at the garage to hand out to anybody that they can't give the answer to,' he said. Scott said driver staffing levels have greatly improved due to the ongoing 'hiring blitz,' though about 80 more operators would be needed to meet the full service level in the fall. X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
