Why Winnipeg needs low-fare transit

Picture a single mother choosing between groceries and bus fare, or a youth not being able to access recreational activities because transit is too expensive. In a city where costs continue to rise, access to public transit shouldn’t be a luxury, but a daily necessity for survival. Winnipeg must adopt low-cost fares for adults and fare-free transit for youth — to boost equity, ridership, and resilience in the face of economic and climate-related challenges.

Winnipeg Transit adult fares jumped from $2.35 in 2010 to $3.35 in 2025, with 35 per cent of that hike since 2020. Youth and senior cash fares are currently $2.85. Annual increases will push adult fares to $3.55 by 2027, surpassing Toronto fares. Those hit hardest — inner-city residents, youth, BIPOC, and women — rely on transit most and face the steepest financial barriers. This fare policy isn’t just unsustainable — it’s unjust.

Years of government underinvestment — especially the cancellation of the 50/50 funding deal by the former Progressive Conservative government in 2016 — sent Winnipeg Transit into decline. By spring 2020, ridership had plummeted 70 per cent, according to the 2022 Winnipeg Alternative Budget. The system is struggling, and it’s time to take a step back.

Winnipeg has the highest Indigenous population among Canadian cities — one in five in the inner city. Rising fares slash purchasing power, limit access to work, and make essentials like food, shelter, and health care even more complicated to reach. For communities already facing systemic inequality and economic colonialism, fare increases aren’t just inconvenient — they’re devastating.

The WINNpass program offers 50 per cent off bus fares, but upfront costs, Peggo card issues, and red tape creates challenges for many low-income residents.

Fare disputes are driving up confrontations between passengers and drivers, with most security incidents tied to fare evasion. Rising tensions mean greater safety risks. Lowering adult fares and offering free transit to kids and seniors can ease conflict, restore trust, and make Winnipeg Transit safer for all.

With 82 per cent of commuters driving and just 11.4 per cent using public transit, car dependency is choking our city — and our planet. In 2022, Winnipeg pumped out 4.76 million tonnes of carbon, nearly half from transportation alone. If we’re serious about hitting net-zero by 2050, we need bold moves. Slashing adult bus fares and making transit free for youth isn’t just smart policy — it’s the spark that could boost ridership, curb emissions, and unlock better service for everyone.

Kansas City’s zero-fare program (2020–2025) increased ridership by 31 per cent and cut carbon emissions by 7,000 tons annually. But when COVID funding dried up, so did the program — proof that lasting change needs lasting investment. As cities grapple with climate goals and equity gaps, leaders like NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani are pushing for fare-free transit. The question isn’t whether it works — it’s whether we’re willing to fund it.

Winnipeg should lead, not lag. Calgary offers free C-Train rides in select zones. Victoria gives youth aged 13-18 free passes, and kids under 12 ride free across British Columbia. Winnipeg? Children under 11 ride free with an accompanying parent. It’s a start, but we can aim higher. Let’s make transit truly accessible — for everyone.

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Critics say low-cost transit is too expensive — but the real cost is chronic underfunding. When the province walked away from the 50/50 transit funding deal with Winnipeg, it left the city shortchanged. Reinstating that partnership, alongside innovative revenue tools — yes even just modest increases to property taxes or a small provincial transit sales tax, similar to Minnesota — can fund zero-to-low fare transit and improve service. It’s not just possible, it’s necessary.

Affordable transit isn’t just about getting from A to B — it’s about building community. It connects people to events, volunteering, and each other. Winnipeg city council must rethink fare policy and cut the red tape. Start bold: cap adult fares at $1.50 to $2 on evenings and weekends, make it free for anyone under 18, and fund it through provincial support and new revenue streams. Run a six-month pilot, then make it permanent during all hours of service.

Public pressure works. Contact your councillor, back the Amalgamated Transit Union and its operators, and team up with community and environmental groups fighting for better transit. Let’s build a system that works for everyone.

As Dan Hendry from Get on The Bus said on a February 2024 edition of Not Necessarily the Automobile, public transit is a public asset — for everyone. In a time of rising costs, financial access to Winnipeg Transit is essential. Zero or low fares aren’t just moral — they’re innovative, practical, and urgently needed. As Winnipeg nears one million people and faces economic and climate pressures, low-to-zero transit fares aren’t just practical — increased public transit investments, while lowering bus fares,can connect us all as a city.

Adam Johnston is the host of Not Necessarily The Automobile on 101.5 UMFM every Thursday at 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m., focused on public and active transportation. He can be reached at notnecessarilytheautomobile@gmail.com