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The city was advised to build the Southwest Transitway in 1976.
It opened today, 44 years later. #wpgpoli
It opened today, 44 years later. #wpgpoli
I wrote this for @WinnipegNews in 2012, when the first 3.6 kilometres of the busway opened. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/columnists/b_kives/the-wheels-on-the----busway-146513685.html
And this transit timeline, up to 2012. https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/opinion/fyi/timeline-for-rapid-transit-fyi-bk-146513845.html
The bottom line:
Had Winnipeg invested in dedicated transit corridors decades ago, the city would look different today: Probably a little more dense in terms of residential development.
But that’s just part of the story.
Had Winnipeg invested in dedicated transit corridors decades ago, the city would look different today: Probably a little more dense in terms of residential development.
But that’s just part of the story.
In the 1970s, transportation planners concluded bus corridors made more sense for Winnipeg vs. light rail because of the flexibility they offer to a medium-density city like Winnipeg.
Decades later, subsequent studies drew the same conclusion. But ...
Decades later, subsequent studies drew the same conclusion. But ...
... there is no longer money to build these things.
There is little room to build these things.
The political will does not exist.
And the public appetite was minimal, prior to the pandemic, as transit users grew more annoyed with regular transit service.
There is little room to build these things.
The political will does not exist.
And the public appetite was minimal, prior to the pandemic, as transit users grew more annoyed with regular transit service.
It is somewhat fitting for this city to see this busway open during a holiday weekend in a middle of a pandemic.
It’s a day of low ridership during a month of unprecedented ridership numbers.
It’s a day of low ridership during a month of unprecedented ridership numbers.
Forty four years is a long time for an idea to take form.
For many Winnipeggers, including transit users in southwest Winnipeg, it will remain an idea for months to come.
For many Winnipeggers, including transit users in southwest Winnipeg, it will remain an idea for months to come.
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