A local city councillor says he is outraged Winnipeg Transit will be cutting service to part of northwest Winnipeg.

Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski) said residents of Garden City, Margaret Park and West Kildonan would be negatively impacted if transit officials go ahead with plans to reduce service along Route 18 (North Main-Corydon).

Eadie said the changes to the route will mean a number of stops will be eliminated on Leila and Partridge avenues as well as Sinclair and Main streets.

"Riders (along Route 18) are about to be denied a quick, somewhat convenient bus route...to downtown," Eadie said last week.

Members of the public will have an opportunity to voice their opinions on the proposed change at a pair of civic committee meetings.

Eadie said although some riders will be able to use other routes, he is concerned other transit users could be left without service.

The city’s standing policy committee on infrastructure renewal and public works recommended at its July 3 meeting that the No. 18 route be modified and transit use those resources to increase service to Riverbend.

"Once again, no effort by the city to consult riders or affected residents," said Eadie.

Rider Cheryl Nash, who uses the No. 18 route to travel downtown almost daily, said the proposed changes would force her to walk an additional 10 blocks to get to the nearest bus stop.

"It makes transit less convenient, but the walk can’t hurt," she joked.

Eadie said Winnipeg Transit has known for nearly a year that changes had to be made in the region and wants to know why it didn’t address the issue sooner.

"They knew the problem existed for over a year," he said. "Why didn’t they budget for this problem last year instead of taking away our 18 Leila bus route?"

Eadie said he has been told any changes to the route will take effect in September and riders be notified by mail a couple of weeks in advance.

He said the changes could create a hardship for area seniors, adding many of them rely on it to get where they are going during frigid winter weather.

"It’s time transit policy became convenient for all riders, and all departments should remember the City of Winnipeg wants to be a senior-friendly city," he said.

Facebook.com/TheTimesWPG
Twitter: @TimesWPG

rob.brown@canstarnews.com