WSD official expects older students to get free youth Transit passes first in staggered rollout of pilot program

A program allowing youths to ride Winnipeg Transit buses fare-free is on track to start next month, though some will wait longer than others to get their passes.

The provincially funded Free Youth Transit Pass Pilot program will provide no-cost rides to youths between the ages of 11 and 17 and high school students between the ages of 18 and 21.

On Thursday, Premier Wab Kinew revealed not all students will be eligible when school resumes next month, as passes will be available based on grade levels.

“It’s going to happen week by week, more and more students will be getting the bus passes. So, this is just at the request of the people who run Transit, so that they can accommodate this new program. As you go back to school, you’ll find out how the bus passes are going to be distributed,” said Kinew.

The premier indicated accommodations to address “urgent” transportation needs could also be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Matt Henderson, superintendent of the Winnipeg School Division, said he expects to provide passes to students in grades 11 and 12 during the week of Sept. 9. That’s expected to be followed by students in grades 9 and 10 during the week of Sept. 21, and students in grades 7 and 8 during the week of Sept. 28.

“The City of Winnipeg is asking that there’s a staggered approach so their drivers and system aren’t overwhelmed and they’re able to adjust and plan throughout the month of September,” said Henderson.

While those dates will generally apply in most cases, divisional schools that draw students from a wide area, such as Tec-Voc high school, will receive passes at the same time, he said.

“Each division in the City of Winnipeg will be sending communication to parents… in the coming weeks just to explain what that rollout looks like,” said Henderson.

Transit said the details could vary between schools.

Henderson said he believes the program will remove a financial roadblock to education for some.

“We know when we speak to families, transportation is the No. 1 barrier to regular and healthy school attendance. It’s not inexpensive for a child to ride the bus every day. We’re really excited about this (free bus pass),” he said.

In June, Winnipeg Transit estimated there were 65,000 youths in the eligible age group, including about 60,000 who attend school, but noted it plans to initially cap the program at just 30,000 passes, assuming a 50 per cent uptake.

Henderson said he believes a pass can be given to every student who wants one.

“There is no cap. According to our provincial partners, if a child needs a bus pass, they will get that,” he said.

At Winnipeg School Division, schools will be able to distribute the passes directly to students.

However, city council’s public works chairwoman said additional passes will be printed only if there’s enough demand and the province provides more money for the program.

Coun. Janice Lukes (Waverley West) said she fears that even with a staggered introduction, adding the free passes in September could overload the system and lead more riders to wait longer as buses filled to capacity pass them by.

“I personally think it’s going to be chaos come fall, regardless of whether it’s staggered or not. I hope it isn’t… I really think it’s a great idea. I just really think it was ill-conceived that we could pull this together for September when it was announced in March,” said Lukes.

September and October are already very busy months for Transit, as many riders return to school.

She said she’s also concerned that details are still to come for parents and students with classes beginning in about three weeks.

In June, Winnipeg Transit said $10 million that the province provided to fund the program for a year would cover its cost for seven months. Lukes said that would lead the pilot project to end in March, unless additional money comes through.

Winnipeg Transit declined an interview request Thursday.

In a written statement, spokeswoman Megan Benedictson said the pilot should last the full school year but did not provide details on how that could be funded.

“We are meeting regularly with the province to discuss the pass-distribution steps and any capacity challenges identified over the course of the rollout,” she wrote.

Students who don’t plan to use the bus are urged not to take a free pass.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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