Advocate for disabled, bus drivers’ union support public-private Transit Plus idea

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This article was published 07/05/2019 (2317 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A city councillor’s idea to have the city take over some transportation services provided to disabled passengers is finding support from within the community and the union representing Winnipeg Transit drivers.

David Kron, executive director of the Cerebral Palsy Association of Manitoba and a former chairman of the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities, said it would help make Transit Plus, formerly known as Handi Transit, a better service.

Although Transit Plus is funded by the city, all of its trips are provided by seven private taxi companies that serve 7,934 registered users.

“I don’t think it should all go to the city, but it could be a certain percentage of vehicles on the road at any time between the private drivers or city workers,” Kron said Tuesday.

“That’s how it used to work. It’s a good balance to have and it keeps everybody honest.”

Earlier in the day at city hall during the executive policy committee meeting, Coun. Brian Mayes, chairman of the civic property and development committee, told Mayor Brian Bowman and fellow councillors he would like to see city workers provide part of the Winnipeg Transit Plus service.

Mayes (St. Vital), who brought up the idea after EPC passed a motion recommending one of the private contractors get a seven-year contract worth $8.3 million to provide five buses for almost 24,000 vehicle hours per year, said he hoped having the city take over a portion of the service would not only raise its quality, but also help rein in escalating costs per ride by having the companies compete against the city.

“I’m getting more (complaint) calls about Transit Plus than I used to get,” Mayes said after the meeting. “It is something we should look at doing.”

Mayes said they include complaints about vehicles not showing up on time — or at all — and residents frustrated after learning they don’t qualify for the service because their trip starting point, destination or both are more than 500 metres from a bus stop.

Bowman, who wouldn’t comment directly about Transit Plus, later noted the city is currently doing a major review of the city’s transportation system.

“I believe it is part of the review,” he said. “If not, it would be part of political discussion now.”

Aleem Chaudhary, president of Amalgamated Transit Union 1505, which represents city bus drivers, said his members support the idea.

“It’s a good idea,” Chaudhary said. “We can do a much better job; we did it before. I think we can save money for the city and also provide an excellent service.”

The Transit Plus service began as a pilot project in 1977 with Winnipeg Transit providing the service using city-owned vehicles operated by civic employees. The city began contracting out part of the service in 1988, after demand exceeded the funding.

‘It’s a good idea. We can do a much better job; we did it before. I think we can save money for the city and also provide an excellent service’– Aleem Chaudhary, president of Amalgamated Transit Union 1505

By June 1997 the final 30 per cent of the service operated by civic employees was contracted out.

Earlier this year, the Manitoba ombudsman released a 152-page report into Transit Plus and made 19 recommendations for service improvements, including revisiting its approach to no-show charges and improving the way it handles complaints. The investigation was sparked by complaints from the Independent Living Resource Centre, a Winnipeg-based disability-supports organization.

Kron said the city should also take the opportunity to get rid of the 500-metre rule.

“Even people near Deer Lodge Centre don’t get Transit Plus service just because of the way the buses run in the area,” he said.

“There are buses on either side, but you can be more than 500 metres away from a bus stop. And there are other pockets in Winnipeg that need to be serviced.

“You could get a temporary pass after you slip and break your ankle and find out you don’t qualify — then what do you do?”

kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca