Your thoughts on Winnipeg’s new transit network Free Press readers share their good and bad experiences, suggestions for improvement By: Compiled by Free Press staff Posted: 2:51 PM CDT Wednesday, Jul. 2, 2025 Last Modified: 3:33 PM CDT Monday, Jul. 7, 2025 Updates

Winnipeg Transit riders have flooded our online feedback form with their experiences using the new network. Thanks to everyone who shared their story — we’re no longer accepting submissions.

Here’s a selection of what we heard. Comments have been edited for length, clarity and to remove identifying personal information.

The good

Jean, St. Boniface: I’ve used the new system to travel from St. Boniface to a few places in the city. To Transcona and Garden City, it was a breeze, and quick.

The D16 (Academy-Notre Dame), though, seemed super unreliable today for some reason, with a lot of buses apparently cancelled. I’ll be taking the D16 a lot since it goes to a lot of the places I habitually travel, so I hope it gets more reliable as they work the bugs out of the new system.

My only other feedback so far is that I’ve seen quite a few sardine-packed buses go by, which is great, but speaks to the need for more bendy-buses in the city.

Allison, St. John’s: I caught the FX2 (Main – St. Mary’s) on Mondayat 8:15 a.m. at Main Street at Mountain Avenue to get to work for 8:30 a.m.. The bus was quick and I go to work on time.

On the way home, I waited 10 mins at McDermot Avenue and got to Main Street and Jefferson Avenue in 15 minutes. It was like riding the #32 route with a few extra stops.

I can imagine that people are going to complain that the FX2 does not stop at Cathedral Avenue like the #32 Express did before. Much faster than the slow-moving routes on Main Street with too many stops!

On Tuesday I caught the Fx2 to head to Garden City Shopping Centre. It was super fast. I look forward to catching the other routes that go down Jefferson Avenue and Inkster Boulevard.

“Much faster than the slow-moving routes on Main Street with too many stops!”

Amanda, Norwood: I’ve used the new transit network a few different times going down Main Street and then through to the Concordia hospital area. It took a little bit longer than it used to but it still went well.

Effie, St. Boniface: I take buses everywhere, and I understand the confusion and frustration of some who utilize transit; however, my experience is a pleasant one so far. In the couple of minutes it took me to walk to the bus stop, which is less than a block away from my home, two buses passed me.

The improved frequency and faster arrival times feel like relief. My only worry is to see how it will keep up when I am in need of a less direct route, or how the new system will run once winter hits and inclement weather causes traffic issues.

“The improved frequency and faster arrival times feel like relief.”

Kruta, Pembina: I normally use the transit system to commute to work daily. I find the new system more organized. I understand there might be frustration regarding chopping off some of the bus stops, but I think it was quite necessary to reduce frequent stops. I would strongly suggest riders to use Winnipeg Transit app.

Pat, Riverbend: My husband and I decided to try the #31 (Waterfront-North Main) bus to The Forks. It was a great experience. We have never taken a bus to The Forks with the old routes (too convoluted a trip).

We are amazed that we can take the #31 bus to connect to the FX2 (Main-St. Mary’s), which would take us all the way to St. Vital Centre. There are destinations that might be more difficult for us by bus, but our first experience was very positive.

Dianne, Wolseley: I used the new network first time on July 2, going from Wolseley to Portage/Fort and back. I would say that it’s quicker as there are less frequent stops. I think this is more convenient for me. On the way back, I just hopped on the first available bus and it was less crowded.

Khushpreet, The Maples: My experience with the new network is very good. I am happy as now only one bus will go to my work in less time as compared to the old system. Previously I had to take two buses and it took more time.

Moreover, my work is on weekends; in the old network, no bus ran on weekends to my work but now there is one. Overall, I am happy with the new network.

“Overall, I am happy with the new network.”

Barbara, Burrows Central: I took the #28 (Arlington-Stafford) southbound to downtown this morning at 6:30 a.m.. I then transferred to a bus on Portage Avenue to go to the Radisson Starbucks for my morning brew — route was quicker than the old #15! And with a new view — always good for my old brain cells!

I called 311 to plan my unique morning, which required me to go to Red River Polytechnic’s Notre Dame campus. The lovely 311 operator, gave me prompt and accurate information on how to get there from downtown. I got to the campus with time to spare. The route back allowed me to go to Kildonan Place mall in one swell swoop! Amazing!

Please tell (manager of Winnipeg Transit service development) Bjorn Radstrom I am impressed! As a daily transit user, I look forward to seeing more of this progress!

Biya, Downtown: I used my very first bus by new network. I went to my work at airport. The new network is faster and felt easy for me.

David, Island Lakes: I’m very, very happy for the new routes. We are able to travel everywhere. Buses are on time and very good. Thank you for this excellent service.

“I was surprised at how often the buses came: I just missed the first one, but the next came in about 10 minutes.”

Jay, Downtown: I was going from the airport to downtown. I was surprised at how often the buses came: I just missed the first one, but the next came in about 10 minutes. Before the change, the buses could take the better part of an hour.

I wish there were a primary line between the airport and Polo Park, since the #224 (Sherwin-Valour) doesn’t run there on evenings or weekends and the airport is not in an on-request zone.

Rob, Westwood: I travelled the first Blue express out of Unicity. Way better and more efficient/quicker. Other riders should know their route or have transit map available. The only issue was: I was the only one on a 60-foot bus past Polo Park. But hey, it was early Sunday morning. Thanks for the new system.

Charlene, Wolseley: I caught the D11 (Salter-Stafford) at on Maryland and got off at Corydon as I previously would on the #29, and then caught the D11 up to Sargent on the way back and got off at the same stop. Fairly straightforward.

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Mixed reviews

Chris, Worthington: Not a lot of change for me. I catch a bus at Dakota and Beliveau, and ride to Broadway/Osborne, so the new F6 (McGregor – Osborne) replaces the old #16 and #58. My time to work is about the same.

Only real change is the number of people on the buses. They are fully packed before you get to downtown. I think this will be a lot worse by the time school starts and everyone is back to school/work on a regular basis.

Robert, West Broadway: The routes I’ve historically used (#10, #17, #20, #23) are now discontinued and I’m planning to get familiar with the new routes by hopping onto as many as I can this summer. Tried two yesterday afternoon, including the Blue line along Portage Avenue from Dominion Street to Unicity and then back to Dominion. Generally a good experience.

As someone who uses a Peggo card I was surprised by the number of people paying in cash and perhaps not so surprised by the 15 or so folks who chose not to pay.

Connections were not great, although the trips were quick and it’s still early days. Really impressed by the drivers who fielded so many questions with patience and kindness.

Exiting the Millennium Library today I planned to catch a “frequent” bus south on Donald Street and then transfer onto a westbound bus at Broadway. Ended up walking home as Donald Street was traffic chaos funnelling to one curb-side lane as a construction crane had blocked off the other three lanes.

Not a good debut for this “frequent” bus option and possibly a demonstration of siloed city departments not identifying the timing of closed traffic lanes to another department as it launched a new transit master plan.

“I was surprised by the number of people paying in cash and perhaps not so surprised by the 15 or so folks who chose not to pay.”

Donna, Niakwa Park: The morning commute, I have no real issues — as long as my feeder bus shows up (#557 Island Lakes-Morley). I have to leave my house 10 minutes earlier than the old system, but I arrive 15 minutes earlier to work.

My feeder bus is scheduled to arrive at 7:41 a.m., but if that bus does not show up, then the next bus does not arrive until 8:10, making me very late for work. Transferring to the FX2 is easy  and the bus arrives quickly.

However, my ride home seems to be taking longer. Although I can catch the FX2 quickly at the end of the day. I spend a lot of time — 15 minutes or more — waiting for the feeder #557 bus to take me to my neighbourhood. It seems that before I would get home at around 5:15; this is now closer to 5:30.

This is not something that I am looking forward to in the winter: waiting around. I may try another route at the end of the day of work, but this then means that I need to take three buses home at the end of the day instead of two, which may involve more waiting around.

Joseph, Weston: I used the new network the very first day. I was going to Kildonan Place. The time difference is about 5 to 10 minutes shorter. However the bus is no longer convenient.

I used to ride the #19 and it ran up to 1:30 a.m. on weekdays. However, with this new system the bus D16 (Academy – Notre Dame) doesn’t run after 11 p.m. on weekdays and 10 p.m. on Saturdays. I finish work at 11 p.m.. I can only get to downtown. I then have to take taxi to get home. It doesn’t make sense to take taxi every day to get home with a monthly pass.

“I finish work at 11 p.m., I can only get to downtown. I then have to take taxi to get home. It doesn’t make sense to take taxi every day to get home with a monthly pass.”

Kyuu, Downtown: Express buses such as the F8 (Henderson – Pembina)  are definitely faster because it avoids Osborne now and goes through a faster route with less stops.

But direct buses, such as D12 (Ellice) or D13 (Sargent) are way slower and take more time even though there are less stops. They are even very late to never showing up — every other bus in the morning or late afternoon.

Solomon, East Kildonan: I regularly take the bus to work and while it has its benefits, there are also challenges. On the positive side, I only need one bus to reach my workplace.

However, for those of us working around in north Winnipeg and closing around 11 p.m., there’s no bus service available. This forces us to take taxis, depsite paying for monthly bus passes. It’s an issue that needs attention, and I hope the necessary adjustments will be made.

Jeffrey, Downtown: I use the bus almost daily. I go to Polo Park and Kildonan Place mall quite often.

The new system works great so far as I have seen but, I was hoping to see an additional bus service that connects to the airport from a bus stop in a convenient central indoor waiting area like the VIA Rail station, Polo Park or even the Portage Place complex.

We need a warm structure to wait inside. Why? So we can take the bus to the airport during the winter months. If you check the new routes right now, all connections between downtown are at street corners with outdoor stops.

When it is -15C this will not work when lugging suitcases or when travelling to places where only a light jacket is required.

Kate, Wildwood Park: Wildwood is serviced by one feeder route, #694. In both directions it crosses Pembina Highway and terminates at the busway.

The schedule is truly unfortunate because the two buses operating in different directions cross each other in Wildwood every 30 minutes. If the schedule was staggered, we would have an option to get to a main line every 15 minutes.

Noah, Osborne Village: I think the system has potential. But the neighborhood feeder routes and direct routes need more frequency for the transfers to work. They also need to run buses later, especially for healthcare workers.

Denai, North Kildonan: Not Enough F8 (Henderson) buses at all. This used to be the most reliable bus in the city, as the #11 Kildonan/Polo Park. Now it only runs during the day every 16 minutes and every 28 minutes on the weekends. Terrible. A lot of people that take that bus are on summer holidays now. Those buses are gonna be packed come September.

And what happened to the express buses? Where’s our FX express bus? Something to consider in the near future for sure.

Noah, Old Kildonan: This network was made for big cities, Winnipeg is not one. We need more buses within our own communities, not feeder systems that don’t run the normal transit schedule. How are folks supposed to leave their neighbourhoods and get to the transfers they need when the routes they need end earlier?

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The bad

Cameron, Earl Grey: I work at the University of Manitoba’s Fort Garry campus. I took then #36 Super Express for at least 15 years from Corydon and Stafford to U of M. I would take it around 7:50 a.m., when it was coming every 5 to 10 minutes, and I would arrive about 8:10 a.m..

Now the equivalent bus, the #889 (Sherbrook Express – Pembina Express) only comes every 45 minutes. I have to take Stafford and transfer to Blue line, or take Stafford and transfer to Pembina bus.

The Blue bus is already full when I catch it at Beaumont station. It often cannot pick up passengers waiting for it along the rapid transit line. If I’m able to catch the bus, I arrive at work 20 minutes later than before, about 8:30 a.m.

The Sunday afternoon service on Corydon Avenue has also been reduced from coming every 20 minutes to every 35 minutes. Also, I don’t understand why every Corydon bus goes out to the zoo when it is already closed on Sunday nights.

I also do not understand why Transit thinks it is positive to have reduced service by 1,000 stops. That just means passengers have to walk further to the next stop, which is a challenge to everyone in the winter and all year round to passengers with mobility limitations.

“Let me be completely honest: it has made my daily commute much more frustrating, inconvenient, and unnecessarily complicated.”

Jasmeet, Downtown: I’ve been using the new Winnipeg Transit system since the day it launched on June 28. I take Route D14 (Dugald – Broadway) to get to work, and let me be completely honest: it has made my daily commute much more frustrating, inconvenient, and unnecessarily complicated.

Before this so-called “upgrade,” my trip was simple: I’d take the #19 Notre Dame from Union Station—one direct bus, no stress. But now, that route is gone, and I’m forced to take two different buses with barely a five-minute gap between them. That might look okay on paper, but in real life? It’s a logistical nightmare —especially when winter hits.

If the first bus is even slightly delayed (which it often is), I miss the second one. And the second bus, #884 (Keewatin), doesn’t run frequently. Sometimes it’s an hour or more before the next one arrives.

To be honest, it feels like the entire system was designed by someone who drives a car and has never taken public transit. Because no one who relies on buses daily would ever think this redesign makes any sense.

We asked for better service, more buses, and improved timing. What we got instead was fewer routes, reduced accessibility, and longer travel times. What used to take me 20 minutes now takes anywhere from 50 minutes to an hour and 20 minutes. That’s not a small change—it’s a complete disruption of daily life.

And don’t even get me started on reliability. Buses are running late constantly, and with how cold Winnipeg gets in the winter, this isn’t just inconvenient—it’s unsafe. Standing outside in -30 or -40C waiting for a bus that might not show up is not just frustrating, it’s borderline neglectful.

If I could say one thing to the people behind this decision: This system doesn’t serve riders—it pushes them away. It’s almost as if Winnipeg Transit wants people to stop using the bus and switch to Uber or taxis. That’s how irrelevant and disconnected this redesign feels.

To fellow riders: plan for delays, dress for harsh weather, and expect your commute to take double the time. I truly hope someone listens — because right now, this new system is not a solution. It’s a problem.

“We asked for better service, more buses, and improved timing. What we got instead was fewer routes, reduced accessibility, and longer travel times.”

Sumaiya, Wildwood: I’ve used the new network and honestly, I don’t like it. It causes a lot of delays.

Before, I had routes #60 and #47. Either one would take me to university and if one was late, the other usually came earlier. Now with the F8 (Henderson – Pembina) route, buses only come about every 20 minutes, which has made me late for both class and work.

They also removed many stops, so I have to walk a lot more just to catch a bus. That is already frustrating and it will be even worse in winter.

Another issue is that I have found myself and seen others waiting at bus stops that still look active, only for the driver to tell us the stop is no longer in use. It is really confusing and makes it hard to rely on Google Maps or any app to plan a trip. I hope Winnipeg Transit makes some changes because the new system has made things a lot more inconvenient for me and for other riders too.

“I hope Winnipeg Transit makes some changes because the new system has made things a lot more inconvenient for me and for other riders, too.”

Ian, Downtown: I have always taken the bus going to work. I work at Health Sciences Centre. The old bus network was more accessible: I could walk a few blocks from my place to the stop. However, for the new one I need to walk an additional three blocks.

The stop that I used to get off at using the old network is directly across from HSC’s Sherbrook entrance, which is very convenient. However in this new system, I have to get off at Notre Dame and Pearl, which is farther to the actual entrance of the hospital.

If I want to use the Sherbrook entrance stop, I have to take a transfer bus, which is very inconvenient. In addition, The bus I am taking using the new network is more crowded than the one I previously took as the new one is a“D” route.

Phoebe, Osborne Village: I’ve been using the new network and unfortunately, the changes have made my commute more difficult. My bus stops are now much farther from my workplace compared to before; I need to walk up to 12 minutes just to catch a bus.

During peak periods, the buses are often delayed by around 15 minutes, and when they finally arrive they are crowded and uncomfortable.  I’ve had to wait almost 30 minutes just to get on a bus to go home.

I really can’t imagine how I’ll manage this in the winter when walking longer distances and waiting outside becomes even more challenging.

“I really can’t imagine how I’ll manage this in the winter when walking longer distances and waiting outside becomes even more challenging.”

Kate, West Broadway: Not impressed. So far the buses seem to come less often. I have entirely missed my destination in time, though I planned the trip in advance and the transfers seem shorter. Also, drivers are unable to tell me where I can transfer to where I need to go. Three times so far.

If I have an appointment or need to get to work I am not confident that I can. Plus the bus was late yesterday and the place I needed to get to was closed when I got there.

Carlos, Downtown: I travel to and from Red River Polytech’s Notre Dame campus to the Canada Life Centre.  Previously I only had to take the #19, which left close to my home. Now with these new routes, everything is more difficult because I have to take two buses — D16 (Academy – Notre Dame) and F8 (Henderson – Pembina).

Travel times have doubled. Previously my trip took 35 minutes, now it takes 50 minutes and this has made things more difficult. There are always delays when changing buses. I don’t want to imagine what it will be like in winter.

Alyssa, Charleswood: Longer, more bus rides to work, and also unrealistic time frames for a worker downtown. As someone who works evenings, oftentimes originally there was a chance that I’d catch the latest #79 bus at 10:30 p.m.. Now I’m finding I have no way home at all.

“I have not yet used the new transit network and I probably never will.”

Jennifer, South St. Vital: I have not yet used the new transit network and I probably never will.

My husband and I are in our 70s and only use transit to go to events at Canada Life Centre, Burton Cummings Theatre and visiting The Forks. It now takes three buses and 28 minutes of walking to get to the Canada Life Centre, instead of one bus and five minutes of walking.

This is not the way to improve visits to downtown or use of transit, when you have to take several buses to get to where you want to go. In winter this would be impossible for us as well as many other seniors. Sadly, we won’t be attending any events downtown in the future.

Wendy, Windsor Park: I used to take one bus to Portage Avenue and Carlton Street to go to work, route #19, and also the same bus to go to Jets game and concerts.

I am now forced to take three buses (two if I wish to transfer in a area of town I would not rather be). The commute is double the time and is not possible when attending a Jets game. Who wants to make two transfers in the winter in the later evening anyway, even if there was a bus running at that time with the new service.

Unless you live near a F or FX bus and don’t require a transfer, I can’t see this benefiting too many Winnipegers, especially the physically challenged or seniors.

Thanks Transit, I’ll purchase a car and do exactly what you did not think was going to happen: drive to work!

Murray, River East:  The on-request route #106 only runs until 10:15 p.m. on weekdays, 9:45 p.m. on Saturdays, and 9:30 p.m. on Sundays. That means there is no transit service in my neighborhood after Bombers or Jets games. I don’t want to walk home late at night. So I won’t be going to any more Bombers or Jets games.

“There is no transit service in my neighbourhood after Bombers or Jets games… so I won’t be going to any more Bombers or Jets games.”

Akash, Maples: It takes me 40 to 50 minutes longer in the morning and about 60 minutes more in the evening, with an added 40-minute walk.

Before, I used to take the #35 straight to work, but now I have to take the #336 (Templeton – Tyndall Park) and F5 (McPhillips – Donald), which are always crowded and run through the busy streets of downtown, so always late due to traffic.

In all, it added about 1.5 hours to my workday with an adventurous walk in downtown. Not sure what will happen in winter and rain.

Anthony, Kildonan Drive: Folks in North Kildonan used to have three buses going down Henderson Highway during peak hours: the #11, #40 and #41. We now have one: the F8.

The F8 runs approximately every 10 minutes. The #11 also came approximately every 10 minutes. Without an additional #40 and #41, the result is less service. The F8 buses are overcrowded, and during peak hours come less frequently in view of the discontinued #40 and #41. Hardly an improvement for the folks in NK.

Additionally, routing the F8 over the Midtown Bridge, with its rush hour congestion, derails schedules. I waited for 40 minutes for my northbound F8 at Donald at Broadway recently. Not feeling too optimistic about my future as a Transit rider.

“Not feeling too optimistic about my future as a Transit rider.”

Prabhav, Exchange District: I use the bus network every day. I used to take bus from near Pacific Street at Martha Avenue and several buses (#21, #22, #67, #31, #24) go by there so I could go to work in downtown directly, and even if I have to go to the University of Winnipeg, it was the best way.

Now, complete disaster. I only have F8 (Henderson – Pembina), it’s the only bus close to my house but it goes to Donald Street from Disraeli. And then I have to take a connection for just one to three stops; that doesn’t make sense to me.

Overall, I liked the previous system. It’s not like I am not trying to keep an open mind, but I am suffering at this point. If even one bus on the way back home is late, I will miss my F8 and I have to stand at the stop for I don’t know how long!

“After our stop, the driver could no longer let passengers on since it was too full, however there were about 15 to 20 people wanting to get on at each downtown stop.”

Heather, North Kildonan: I was taking the F8 (Henderson – Pembina) bus home from downtown after 4:30 p.m.. The bus was about 25 minutes late. By the time it got there, the bus was so packed the driver could only let on a handful of us.

After our stop, the driver could no longer let passengers on since it was too full, however there were about 15 to 20 people wanting to get on at each downtown stop. I heard some people say they were waiting over an hour for an F8 bus to come.

Overall it took me an hour and 15 minutes to get home, compared to my previous 30-minute bus ride. I also have to walk six blocks to get to my new bus stop, whereas before I only had to walk two blocks. Not looking forward to that walk in the winter when it’s -30.

Aarzoo, East Elmwood: I used to take the #47 daily to go downtown. Now I have to walk 21 minutes to get that bus and ride only eight minutes. Routes like #43 and #90 doesn’t exist anymore, meaning I have to walk almost 10 minutes to catch any bus.

There are no buses after 10 p.m. on the weekend, which makes it hard. All the stops I used to take are not in service anymore. It made my life hard as transit is the only way I commute around the city.

“All the stops I used to take are not in service anymore.”

Abiodun, Dakota: I use transit daily from Dakota to Polo Park. Previously I took the #14, just one bus. Now I have to take the FX2 (Main – St. Mary’s), D15 (Archibald – Ness) and FX4 (Gateway – Portage) to get to work everyday.

Two or three buses definitely makes the trip much longer, considering the wait time for these buses. What happens during winter? Something needs to be done about this current arrangement.

Julie, Downtown: I use transit to commute. I work at Mountain Avenue and I live in the downtown area. My commute has gotten way longer and more inconvenient!

I used to walk only a total of eight minutes and only take one bus. Now I have to walk almost 20 minutes. Another option is to take two buses, but the problem with that is I am more likely to miss the second bus.

It is bearable this summer, but in the winter it will be too challenging and I may just resort to Uber or find a different mode of transportation. This will incur more expenses on my already very tight budget. I cannot afford a car, unfortunately.

The buses are also late most of the time and has become extremely crowded. This is not an improvement at all and I don’t think it is appropriate for the layout of the city.

“This is not an improvement at all and I don’t think it is appropriate for the layout of the city.”

Harold, South St. Vital: I now have to walk two blocks from my apartment. The bus stop used to be just in front. It will be difficult in the winter.

I can’t get to No Frills anymore because I would have to transfer twice (three buses); it used to be just one. Getting to work in Red River Polytech’s Notre Dame campus now takes an hour; it used to be 45 minutes

Viridiana, Crescentwood:  I used to take the #18 bus (Corydon), walking only two blocks from my house. This bus dropped me at the corner of my work place. My commute time was around 25 minutes. Now I have to take two buses and it takes me around 40 minutes to get to my work place.

Radhika, Fairfield Park: I am a regular user of Winnipeg Transit for several years and I started taking the new transit route from July 2 onwards and my experience so far has not been good.

I live close to the Superstore on Bison Drive and my workplace is in the West Fort Garry Industrial area. I used to leave home between 7:40 and 7:45 a.m., walk 12 to 13 mins to take one bus, which was #74, and walk for two minutes to get to my workplace to start work at 8:30 am.

Now with the new transit route I have to leave like 7:15 a.m. and take two buses, the Blue line and #690 (Industrial) or 642 (Lindenwoods East) to get down at the same stop and walk two minutes to my workplace. If I choose to take just one bus, it’s the #74 (Kenaston-Keewatin), and the walk to the bus stop is very long and I have to walk 15 minutes to get to my workplace.

It’s the same problem when leaving work at 4:30 p.m.. Yesterday I left work and thought of trying to take one bus to get home so I walked 15 mins to take bus #74 and found out that the bus was 15 minutes late and got home close to 5:45 pm.

I was exhausted and tired from waiting and walking for so long and felt it was very inefficient. Especially during the winter season it’s going to be extremely difficult to walk so long.

“What was supposed to be a more ‘efficient and reliable’ system is just exhausting, frustrating and a hassle.”

Oliver, Transcona: I have been using the new and supposedly improved transit system since Monday. There are no improvements. What was supposed to be a more “efficient and reliable” system is just exhausting, frustrating and a hassle.

My commute comes from Transcona to downtown on Portage, on the old system it was one bus and the amount of walking I had to do was quite minimal and it would take me about 40 minutes to commute on a good day and on a bad day about 50 minutes to an hour.

This new system requires me to walk about 15 minutes, which I can live with, and take two or three buses depending on which route I end up taking.

Going to downtown in the morning, when there is not a lot of traffic yet, isn’t too bad — but if I miss my connecting transfer, I have to find a whole new route to get to work. Luckily it has been fine in the morning.

In the afternoon is where all my frustration comes. Why did we get rid of Graham Street? Why are the buses now taking Portage or Broadway, which are such high-traffic streets? You may catch your first bus, but you are 100% going to miss your connecting buses.

If the city wants this system to work properly they need to have a street like Graham again where only buses use, if there were bus-only roads, it would fix a few issues in the high-traffic areas.

That is not my only issue. Once I am out of the nightmare that is downtown and reach a “hub,” have fun waiting 30 to 40 minutes for a bus. The Transit app says you’re going to reach your connecting bus in the hub area. No, you are not, because the buses are way more late than they have ever been. All the buses I have taken on the way home have not been on time — they are all late 8 to 12 minutes.

There needs to be more frequent buses in the community areas or maybe more park-and-rides around the hubs so riders have an option to drive a short distance if they are able to drive.

How did my one bus ride of 40 to 50 minutes going home turn into an hour+ with multiple buses? It’s after work, I’m already exhausted, I do not want to be getting on and off buses and waiting minutes to transfer only to get home way later than I normally do. It’s just frustrating.

“The bus had to skip at least 10 stops with tons of people waiting at them because our bus was already packed full to the front door.”

Tara, Wolseley: My work route home has increased from 30 minutes to an hour with an additional third bus added to it. My bus stop has also moved 20 minutes away to the next street over.

I have the option to take a two-bus route, but that is with the far bus stop, or I can take the three-bus route, which I tested out today — and the bus had to skip at least 10 stops with tons of people waiting at them because our bus was already packed full to the front door.

Cindy, near McPhillips Street: I use transit every weekday for work downtown at the Winnipeg Clinic. Taking F5 (McPhillips-Donald) bus with new bus system. I rode the #34 in the old system for a few years. With the new transit system, I’m walking farther to catch the bus going to work and going home.

The old transit system, below my place of work I can catch the bus which is so beneficial in winter.  Now I walk six blocks to catch an F5 bus going home, then walk again from my stop at McPhillips to get home.

Before, I could leave home a bit later and still get to downtown with the #34 in 15 minutes. Now I have to leave early, as walking to the designated bus stops are a must because now they are all farther from me and also far from my place of work.

I have now used the new system a few days and I am always standing up when I’m at the bus. There is no chance to sit as the bus is always full. I’ve noticed some elderly even standing up, even with a cane, because the bus is so full.

Going to work, I am standing from McPhillips to downtown, and when going home, too, the bus is always full and I’ve stood the whole ride home a few times.

Needless to say, for my circumstance the new transit system has been an inconvenience. During this summertime the walk is bearable, but in the winter walking six blocks to catch the bus is far when you are on the other side of downtown and have no other option.

I wish they would consider a more central location for a bus route for other bus users on the other side of downtown.

Taylor, River Heights: It used to take me under 20 minutes, walking time included, to get to work using one bus route: the #20 from River Heights to downtown.

Now, I have to contend with a significant detour and the expectation that I’ll transfer in Osborne Village. The transfer window is all of one minute; and as anyone who’s ever caught a bus in Winnipeg knows, that means that I’m going to miss it, meaning that my transfer time is actually 16 minutes (if the second bus isn’t delayed).

I’m now having to leave home 10 minutes earlier in the morning to spend an extra 15 minutes waiting for a connecting bus. My commute has gone from 20 minutes to over half an hour. And I’m going to be sweltering/freezing for half of it.

So, to summarize: How does my experience compare to the old system? It’s longer and worse. More convenient or less? Less. What should other riders know before they try to catch the bus? Don’t. Buy a car, like I’m doing after 20 years of ridership. Transit is dead. I’m never catching it again.

“What should other riders know before they try to catch the bus? Don’t. Buy a car, like I’m doing after 20 years of ridership.”

Yashnoor, Pembina Highway: I live on Pembina Highway and work on Higgins Avenue and my work starts at 7 a.m. or earlier. I used to take the #47 at 6:24 a.m. and reach work at about 6:45, so basically that was just 21 minutes.

The new bus route and system has changed everything. I need to take bus at 6 a.m. to reach work exactly at 6:59 a.m. (59 minutes) and I need to take two buses. The second bus apparently does not go the location as shown on the map because of ongoing construction, so I need to walk for 14 minutes through a very deserted and dangerous area, and being a girl, that is very difficult and dangerous.

Sometimes I have evening shifts that end at 11 p.m. and there is no bus at that time, and I cannot afford Uber or taxis every time. And walking to downtown for 14 minutes at 11 p.m. is very menacing as no one knows from where someone can attack or similar — as everyone knows, Winnipeg’s downtown is very unsafe and Winnipeg is on the top list of Canada’s crime rate.

Asu, Pembina Strip: As a University of Winnipeg student, I rely on buses daily to travel from Pembina Highway to the university and to Regent Avenue for my part-time job.

Previously, I could take a single bus—route #60 to the university and route #47 to Regent. Now, I need at least two buses, requiring more transfers and longer walks.

The Blue line is an option, but its nearest stop, Plaza Station, is 900 meters from my home. Walking 1,800 meters daily, on top of extensive walking at university, is impractical. Winter will worsen this, as fewer bus shelters means waiting in the cold for transfers, a problem I didn’t face before the changes.

Transfers are also inconvenient. Before, I could catch most buses from central stops like Graham at Vaughan or James at Main. Now, I must walk 5 to 10 minutes between stops. The removal of #47 forces me to take three buses to reach Regent.

Winnipeg Transit reportedly loses $37 million annually yet invested $124 million in the new system. They could have sustained losses for three more years with that amount, during which I could have saved for a car. Just kidding.

Ann, Meadows West: I tried a new commute route for the first time July 2 to downtown Winnipeg. Previously, I used to take just one bus—#31 Express—which got me to work in about 30 minutes.

On Wednesday it took me about 40 minutes using a combination of two buses — #334 (Watson-Dr. Jose Rizal) and F5 (McPhillips-Donald) with one transfer. I left early in the morning, so the ride was smooth and the buses weren’t crowded.

However, the return trip was a different story. I left downtown shortly after 3:30 p.m. and took the same route in reverse (F5 and 334). I had to walk four blocks to the nearest stop to catch the F5.

According to the transit app, it was running 14 minutes late, and around 20 people were already waiting. When a bus finally arrived, it was so full that the driver had to turn people away, advising them to wait for the next one.

Eventually, I made it to the Garden City loop and transferred to the feeder line, but that involved another 14-minute wait. In total, my commute home took nearly 90 minutes — double the time it used to take with #31.

Jey, Bridgwater Lakes: The #676 (North Town – Burland) now comes every 30 minutes; before, the bus came every 10-15 minutes during rush hour. If I miss one or if the bus comes early and miss it, I will be significantly late.

Plus now the service ends earlier, around 7 p.m.. What if people work later and need the bus during the nighttime? We’re going backwards. This is not progressive. I was happier with the old network.

L.C., Osborne: In the old system, there were various buses heading through my neighbourhood constantly and it was easy to connect.

Now, there is one direct route and the bus has been consistently late. Getting home, there are no direct routes. I will now be driving to work.

“I will now be driving to work.”

Marilyn, Tuxedo: I’m an 80-year-old senior with mobility issues. I used the new “improved” system yesterday. Luckily, I am on the D19 (Corydon) route, which has been relatively unchanged. I managed to get downtown. However, I had to walk too far in hot weather to find a route home.

The transit overhaul is ill-conceived, incoherent, difficult to use, is not quicker and where are the benches for older riders? All I can say is, ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it.’

Maryam, St. Anne’s Road: I used the new transit network Monday to go grocery shopping from St. Anne’s to St. Vital. With the old system, the trip took just one bus and about 20 minutes. But with the new routes, I had to take two different buses, which made the trip longer and more tiring.

Honestly, these new changes can be really difficult for families, especially those with kids, strollers, or groceries to carry. Having to transfer buses in between adds extra stress and inconvenience.

“These new changes can be really difficult for families, especially those with kids, strollers, or groceries to carry. Having to transfer buses in between adds extra stress and inconvenience.”

Lilibeth, Amber Trails: Before, I only took one bus going downtown and had more options with times. I had bus #33 and #35.  Now, I have to make several transfers and travel time is longer.

Also, my son, who is working evenings, now has to walk 40 minutes due to the end time for buses. This seems to be more inefficient for us than the old network.

Faith, Osborne: I use transit going to and from work. The actual time on my bus is less with the new network, but the time it takes me to get to work is far longer because I have to walk further for all of my buses.

They removed all bus routes close to me, making me walk further, which contradicts the accessibility the new program is trying to promote. It used to take me 5 to 10 minutes to bus downtown, now it takes me 20 to 25 minutes and I have to transfer — when I live so conveniently close to downtown.

Two of the buses I used were cancelled, one — which was listed as a “frequent” bus — arrived 20 minutes late. According to the new system, although there are more transfers, there should be more frequent buses. This isn’t the case.

Buses are full, near capacity, everyone’s being shoved onto one route, which will get worse during school season and in the winter.

Kehinde, Transcona: The bus stop close to my house, which was a three-minute walk, isn’t as efficient as before.

When I was going to work on Sunday morning I had to trek over 16 minutes to the nearest bus stop to catch the bus. While I was coming back from work, I trekked another over 23 minutes to my house from the last bus stop.

“Taking the bus to work and from work to home has become impossible.”

Elaura, Exchange District: Taking the bus to work and from work to home has become impossible. I waited for my bus on Logan Avenue for over an hour.

When I first checked the time, the bus schedule said 6:20 p.m. arrival. When I checked again in another 15 minutes, it said 6:40 p.m. late arrival. I waited and checked in another 15 minutes, it said 15 minutes late, like it never changed. I waited even longer, another 15 minutes, and still no sign.

I gave up and decided to walk home, and still no bus as I continued to walk down the street.  I’m extremely disappointed in the new bus routes and times.

“This new transit system has made my daily commute longer. It has me concerned for the winter… and with long wait times on added transfers during cold temperatures. But most of all it makes me feel unsafe.”

Jill, St. James: I take the bus every day to and from work. I live in St. James and work in the Exchange District.

Before the new system, I took one bus, the #21, to and from work. It came every 10 minutes with a stop at the end of my street and a stop two blocks from my work. I never had to wait long, I felt safe, and I always got a seat on the bus for the approximately 35-minute door-to-door journey.

I started taking the new transit system Monday at 7:30 a.m., the usual time I take it. The bus stop at the end of my street is no longer there so I need to walk a block to the nearest one. I take the Blue line downtown then to transfer to the D16 (Academy-Notre Dame).

The Blue arrived around when it said it would, however, it had very little seating. The D16 took over 20 minutes to arrive, with the app saying two had passed while I waited when, in reality, they did not. When the D16 finally arrived, the bus was packed, with only standing room for the rest of the journey. The total trip took over 45 minutes.

For the ride back, I take the F8 (Henderson-Pembina) between 4 and 4:30 p.m. and then the Blue line home. The F8 came at a reasonable time, standing-room only, and dropped us off right in the heart of downtown Portage Avenue.

I’m a smaller woman carrying expensive work equipment and did not feel safe. The transfer to the Blue line took approximately 20 minutes, with standing-room only for the rest of the journey. The total return trip took over 45 minutes as well.

This new transit system has made my daily commute longer. It has me concerned for the winter, with more commuters on already-packed buses, and with long wait times on added transfers during cold temperatures. But most of all it makes me feel unsafe.

“Double the walking time… getting home much later, how is that more efficient?”

Marcie, Polo Park: I work an evening shift till 11 p.m., now this new system is going to get me home almost twice as late as the old system. The bus doesn’t stop at the stops closes to my house anymore — they are still active stops, but the bus I need to take doesn’t stop there, so I have to walk twice as far to get home.

Double the walking time in –40C weather, trudging through the snow and freezing cold late at night and getting home much later, how is that more efficient? Maybe more efficient for places that don’t get the winters that we do.

Helen, Crestview: The bus stop closest to my home is being eliminated. I have to walk more than twice the distance to go to Unicity or Grace Hospital. I am old and have health issues making walking a problem.

Tim, Niakwa Park: Under the old system it took me 40 minutes on one bus to get to work: 32 minutes on the bus, eight minutes walk time and no wait time. New system: 50 mins total with 21 mins on two buses, 23 minutes of walking time and six minutes of wait time. I expect residents in my neighborhood will not like this decreased level of service.

“I expect residents in my neighbourhood will not like this decreased level of service.”

Muriel, Riverbend: I am a senior who lives near Chief Pegius Trail on Main Street. It is not an out-of-the-way location. I have medical appointments at the Winnipeg Clinic, located downtown on St. Mary Avenue. For many years, I have been able to catch one bus on Main Street that has taken me right opposite the Winnipeg Clinic in 20 to 25 minutes.

I have an appointment later this week at the Winnipeg Clinic and therefore was using the Navigo app to plan my trip to the Winnipeg Clinic. What a shock! It will now take me anywhere from 45 to 55 minutes and as many as three buses to reach my destination, with walking and waiting in between.

Getting on and off buses isn’t easy for seniors with mobility issues. Some transfers involve waiting in some sketchy areas of the city. The mayor has said he doesn’t want to make this new transit schedule worse for anyone. Well, as I have described here, I would like to know how this new system is better for me.

Spish, Corydon: I thought these new buses were supposed to come closer together? Mine came 30 minutes apart and the one I chose to take this morning was late. I ended up being 15 minutes late to work this morning.

And for some reason I can’t take the same route back home. I have to take two buses now. It’s faster for me to walk to work than it is to take the bus.

“It’s faster for me to walk to work than it is to take the bus.”

Jimmy, Island Lakes: It takes the same amount of time for me to get to and from work as before, but now I have to take two buses instead of one — and I have to wait for my second bus in a part of town I would rather avoid. I don’t see this as a positive.

Bradley, Polo Park: I have been using transit, either daily or weekly, for decades, going from the Polo Park area to downtown, the University of Winnipeg or Exchange District or one of the Red River Polytechnic campuses.

I am one of those whose commute is now longer. I could always get one bus to where I needed to go… now, I have to get off, walk a block, cross major intersections, and transfer to a new bus.

Plus, my new stop downtown has no shelter or even a wind break, and it is right next to Portage and Main, the windiest spot in Winnipeg! Even today in the summer, the breeze was whipping by. What will it be like in winter at –30 with a windchill, having to wait 10 minutes for a transfer with no shelter?! I can tell, it will be horrible.

While I understand that for many this may improve their commute, for me, it has made it longer, more work and less safe.

Lee, Elmwood: My commute used to only take 25-30 minutes by bus, but the routes themselves now appear to average about 45 minutes and are contingent on at least one transfer.

I only take the bus to go to and from work but as this is significantly lengthening my time I will be cycling throughout the summer as it only takes me 25 minutes.

In winter I will likely carpool instead of busing; as a parent of a young child it’s too much extra time from the evenings to be spending waiting for buses. I do not plan on spending nearly two hours on a bus each day, nearly doubling my commute time.

“I do not plan on spending nearly two hours on a bus each day, nearly doubling my commute time.”

Tuva, Windsor Park: Do not get stuck downtown after 11 p.m. I was trying to bus home from a friend’s place and realized that there are no buses running at all to take me to my part of town. The only route I could find involved 57 minutes of walking. Ended up stranded downtown last night. Most of the buses used to run so much later.

Adair, Wolseley: I used to be able to get to the University of Manitoba from Wolseley on one bus, a super express (#36). In the mornings it ran every 10 minutes. If I missed it, there were multiple other options with a transfer that came regularly — I’d just jump on the #29 or #635 to a rapid transit station and catch a blue line from there.

Now? No direct route to the university. Bus only runs every 30 minutes. Not express. With my transfer this has added an extra 20+ minutes to my commute. I had to walk 2,000 steps before I was on my bus to my final destination. Time between transfers also wasn’t aligned and I missed my transfer as well.

I’m really concerned how this will be once fall starts and traffic to the university on transit increases.

Marianne, Windsor Park: I work evenings, and now I can’t take a bus home at my stop in Norwood that would have been the #19.

The new bus is finished at 11:30 p.m. when I’m done work, so I end up in St. Vital waiting there and who knows what can happen with all the crime. I will not get back home to Windsor Park until 1 a.m. That’s not good in the winter; not happy at all.

Jashanpreet, The Maples: I used to take any bus #33, #34, #35 or #36 from The Maples and it took me only 25 minutes to reach to reach my work in the Pacific Industrial Park area.

But now I take two connecting buses, early at 7 a.m., and then have to wait 14 minutes for F5 (McPhillips-Donald) to reach the Logan and McPhillips bus stop and 15 minutes walking from the bus stop to my workplace. It takes almost an hour now. It’s not convenient.

Harkanwal, The Maples: I could reach my destination within 20 minutes using the old bus system. Now, with the new system, I have to take two buses and wait around 15 minutes between them, which makes the trip longer and more difficult.

In the evenings, the F5 (McPhillips-Donald) buses are extremely crowded, often with no seats available, which makes commuting even more uncomfortable. Additionally, if I miss one bus, I have to wait up to 30 minutes for the next one. With the upcoming winter, this new system is simply not convenient at all.

Giday, West Broadway: I had to walk to work on Monday. Not sure how I will survive in the winter. I used to take #17 to work, or take #20 or #10, then catch #33 at The Bay. Now they’re all gone, without any replacement to those previous lines.

Ron, Meadowood: I previously used the #55 bus to go from my residence to Canada Life Centre for Jets hockey games during the long, cold winter months. Short walk from my residence to a bus shelter, one-bus service to Canada Life Centre, same route coming home. Save on parking, take a car off the road and support transit ridership.

Well, thank you to city planners, all that is gone, replaced by a nice, cold 15-to 20-minute walk to St. Anne’s Road to catch a bus and then another long walk to go home. They replaced the #55 with the #552 (Aldgate-Meadowood): limited hours of service, no Saturday or Sunday service. You want to encourage ridership on transit, I think not!

“What used to be a 20-minute bus ride has turned into an hour-long fiasco of transfers.”

Graeson, West Kildonan: I used transit to get to work. What used to be a 20-minute bus ride has turned into an hour-long fiasco of transfers. The wait times are shorter, yes, but it shouldn’t take me an hour to get from northern McPhillips Street back to my area.

Martin, Downtown: I used the new network on Monday. I used to walk three minutes to bus stop on Portage Avenue, then catch bus #55 to St. Vital for work. Now I have to walk 10 minutes and take two buses to get to the same destination. My commute has increased in time and now I have to change buses.

JD, Chalmers neighbourhood: I used to take bus #43 right in front of my office from Provencher Avenue to Ottawa Avenue. Now I have to walk for five minutes to take FX4 (Gateway-Portage), which drops me off at Chalmers Avenue and walk for 18 minutes to get home.

This is horrible. I hate the new bus system. What happens in winter? Are people expected to walk 18 minutes in the brutal cold? This was not thought out properly at all.

Halie, Polson: I used the network on June 29. I was going to my place of work. This system isn’t as good. I have to take two buses just to get to work.

The second one I need to get is the #28 (Arlington-Stafford) and one area is under construction so it doesn’t go in that area yet. Which is stupid to continue with the bus changes when there is still construction going on.

“Before, I could get to work by taking just two buses, but now I have to take four.”

Ako, Pembina Strip: I used to take bus #95 from Fort Rouge station to Riverview Health Centre, which is no longer available. Now I have to take #895 (Morley) from Jubilee station, but there is no coordination between the Winnipeg Transit app schedule and the time the bus arrives.

Also, the last bus in the morning leaves Jubilee at 8:20 a.m., and many other passengers and I need a bus after that time. Another option for me was the #16, which is not available now.

Before, I could get to work by taking just two buses, but now I have to take four, and they don’t arrive at the scheduled time. There is a higher risk of missing a bus when I have to take four instead of two.

Harpreet, The Maples: I live in north end of the city and I have to bus to University of Manitoba. There was an express bus (#36) that I used to take in the morning and would take 45-50 minutes to reach there and there was no hassle to go to downtown and switch any buses. And it was easy to come back home, too, with the #36.

Since it changed, now I have to drive in order to save time. The new route and bus stops are complicated. I have to get into three buses to reach school. And now it will take 1 hour and 30-40 minutes, which doesn’t make sense. It’s not convenient at all, especially for students like me!

Mili, The Maples: Very bad experience. The previous route was much better as I was taking one bus. The new (network), I have to take two buses and one of them doesn’t have much service. Bring back the #33!

“Thank you, Winnipeg Transit, for making my life harder.”

Nikki, Elmwood: I am a a health care worker and this new route is crazy. Instead of walking one minute to the hospital, now I need to walk 11 minutes, lucky, on weekends from City Hall to William. Thank you, Winnipeg Transit, for making my life harder.