Want Winnipeg Transit buses in Waverley West? Call 311

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 10/02/2015 (3035 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Despite a big jump in the population of the Bridgwater Lakes area, there is no bus service available.  

Area resident Lori says she has expressed has her concerns to the City of Winnipeg.

“My frustration, (and that of) many people in the neighbourhood is no public transportation,” she said.
“I have been corresponding with Winnipeg Transit every few months, but have had no answers as to when we will receive transit service. It is a daily hardship to find transportation for work, school, extra-curricular activities, etc., due to not having transit in the area. The nearest transit is in Bridgwater Forest with limited service and is too far to get to, especially in the winter.”

Michelle Finley, a communications officer with the City of Winnipeg, responded to Lori’s concerns by email.  

“The City of Winnipeg has been growing quickly in recent years, and while transit services have been extended to some new neighbourhoods, such as South Pointe, Bridgwater Trails and Sage Creek, it has mainly been peak period service on weekdays,” she said. “In the coming year or two, as Winnipeg Transit is able to add some additional buses to its fleet, we will look at where expansions to service are needed to address the needs of current and future riders.”  

To me, it seems quite remarkable that transit service is not implemented in every subdivision within Waverley West as soon as there are residents in an area. With a projected population of 40,000 people, additional bus routes in the area are greatly needed, and residents must voice their frustrations to the City of Winnipeg.  

City councillor Janice Lukes (St. Norbert) explains the work she is doing to get it started immediately: 

“It is unacceptable that Bridgwater Lakes has no transit at this point in the community’s development,” she said in an email.

“I understand when a new community evolves, it takes some time to have enough people living in the community to justify a new transit route — but with the rapid growth in the Bridgwater Lakes area, and I believe the time has come. I’ve filed a formal motion (request) to have transit folks do an in depth ‘needs assessment’ of the Bridgwater/South Pointe area.   

“I also encourage people to call 311 and make a request. Part of transit’s ‘needs assessment process’ is reviewing 311 requests for service. I have heard loud and clear from the residents that better transit service is needed and I am working to make this happen.”

Kristi Anaka is a community correspondent for Waverley West. You can contact her at kristianaka@gmail.com