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Blue Line service to be interrupted over weekend for routine maintenance
Blue Line service to be interrupted over weekend for routine maintenance

CTV News

time11 hours ago

  • CTV News

Blue Line service to be interrupted over weekend for routine maintenance

Blue Line service will be interrupted over the June 28-29 weekend for routine maintenance. The Blue Line will be closed between 69 Street and Downtown West/Kerby this weekend for routine maintenance. Shuttle buses will replace CTrains and run every five minutes between stations, with a separate shuttle between Kerby and Sunalta. The city said on its website that it's using the downtime to inspect and do maintenance on tunnels, station repair work, cleaning and inspection, roof repairs at Shaganappi Point, electrical work, and other things as well. Full CTrain service will be back up and running early Monday, June 30. For more information, go here.

Winnipeg's transit system is changing. Here's your survival guide.
Winnipeg's transit system is changing. Here's your survival guide.

Winnipeg Free Press

timea day ago

  • General
  • Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg's transit system is changing. Here's your survival guide.

Winnipeg Transit's bus network is undergoing a complete transformation on June 29. The network is switching from a hub-and-spoke system — where buses travel between downtown and outlying neighbourhoods — to using a spine-and-feeder concept, where frequently serviced spines along major corridors are supported by a network of feeder routes. As virtually every route in the city is set to change, the Free Press has created a survival guide to help you navigate the new system. City officials say the spine-and-feeder concept will allow buses to arrive more frequently, travel more directly and provide an overall more reliable Transit service, in part because most feeder buses won't have to navigate downtown traffic. Under the new network, a bus is expected to arrive every five to 15 minutes along each of the most frequent routes during peak periods, while connector route buses would come every 15 to 30 minutes. More transfers will be required and community routes will end earlier in the evening. A close-up of the downtown section of the new transit system map. Winnipeg Transit launches its new routes on Sunday, June 29. That day, about seven or eight 'travel trainers' and 30 other Transit staff will be posted along main routes and stops to help travellers find their way. It is possible one of the bus stops you usually use has been moved, replaced or removed. Under the new system, the total number of bus stops will be reduced to 4,000 from 5,200. Over the last few weeks, signage has appeared showing new route information at existing stops, and providing information on stops that are being removed or moved. Every bus stop sign in the city has changed, and the number and location of stops has also changed. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press) Bus riders can plan routes they'll need to take in the new network using Transit's trip-planning website, Navigo. Navigo lets you choose your starting point, your destination, and the time you wish to leave or arrive by. The site will generate a selection travel plans. If you're reading this before June 29, select 'Preview this trip in the new Primary Transit Network' to switch to the new system map. Using Navigo, riders can enter their starting point, destination and time of arrival/departure and review possible routes. The Navigo website that can help you locate stops and their respective schedules and specific routes. Winnipeg Transit's website also offers: Navigo also allows users to search for stops and routes near an address or landmark. Riders can also use the Winnipeg Transit app or the Transit app. Winnipeg Transit has partnered with the Transit app for one year. The Transit app uses a different algorithm for planning trips and may suggest different routes than Navigo. The app allows users to plan an immediate or future trip using Navigo, find stops and schedules, explore routes and 'go live' using the On the Go feature to follow the route you are riding on. Printed route maps are also available at Transit customer service centres. Riders can also call 311 for assistance. System maps are available online and at Winnipeg Transit customer service centres. (Ruth Bonneville / Free Press) If want to report an issue or request an enhancement to a bus stop, you can complete this form on the City of Winnipeg's website.

Scaling back plans for transit garage could hurt riders in future: report
Scaling back plans for transit garage could hurt riders in future: report

Winnipeg Free Press

time2 days ago

  • Business
  • Winnipeg Free Press

Scaling back plans for transit garage could hurt riders in future: report

Within about five years, the decision to scale back Winnipeg Transit's new north garage could leave more riders behind as full buses pass them by. A report deems an increase in 'pass-ups' to be the key risk of city council's decision to reduce the scope of the new facility, now known as the Oak Point Garage. The project's scope was clawed back to keep its cost at $200 million instead of increasing it to $305 million, which reduced maintenance and storage space. 'The biggest risk to the (Winnipeg Transit Master Plan) from the smaller scope of (the garage) is the potential for pass-ups on Primary Transit Network lines. This would happen due to a lack of sufficient 60-foot articulated buses in the fleet,' writes Bjorn Radstrom, Winnipeg Transit's manager of service development. RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES The smaller, cheaper facility is slated to replace the current garage on Main Street, which is in poor condition. The smaller, cheaper facility is slated to replace the current garage on Main Street, which is in poor condition and cannot fit articulated buses or newer ones with rooftop air conditioners, Radstrom writes. Shrinking the scope of the new facility means Transit can only store 127 of the longer, articulated buses, while the service estimates it would need between 150 and 200 within the next 10 years, the report said. Transit may also need to request 'significant capital funding within five years' to either expand the Oak Point Garage, which is expected to open in 2028, or retrofit the existing Fort Rouge Garage, Radstrom said. 'By 2030, I would say the risk is getting to be pretty high that we would be experiencing more pass-ups than we would want,' he said, during an interview Thursday. It's difficult to tell how much pass-ups could increase in the next few years, since ridership levels could change, but adding more 60-foot buses could serve growing demand with a limited impact on operating costs, Radstrom said. 'You're not paying for an extra bus operator. It's a much more efficient way to (transport more people) but we need the maintenance space and the storage space for (the buses) … If ridership keeps growing, there's a crunch,' said Radstrom. Pass-ups tend to be highest in September when students return to school, he noted, with full buses passing up waiting riders 2,615 times in September 2024. There have been 410 pass-ups during this month so far. The chairwoman of council's public works committee said council can't afford to increase the budget and scope of the north garage right now. 'We don't have the money,' said Coun. Janice Lukes. Lukes (Waverley West) said council has invested a lot of money in Winnipeg Transit, including a $124-million subsidy this year. The councillor said federal and provincial interest in public transit indicates funding to expand the garage could become available. 'I'm very optimistic that we'll be able to do an expansion to the garage at some point in the future … We are committed to making transit better and we have time to figure out an expansion,' said Lukes. She stressed the risk of a surge in buses lacking enough space for riders is still years away. Mayor Scott Gillingham also noted the city has made major investments in transit lately, including a new primary transit network that's set to take effect Sunday. 'We're investing more in transit than we ever have … We only have so many dollars to invest in that garage at this time. In the future, there may be opportunity, if need arises, for us to expand that garage. But let's keep in mind, these are good days for transit,' said Gillingham. An advocate for transit riders said the switch to a new primary transit network could alleviate a lot of the delay pass-ups cause, though the risk of experiencing more of them is a concern. Wednesdays Sent weekly from the heart of Turtle Island, an exploration of Indigenous voices, perspectives and experiences. 'With frequent service, a pass-up will be less devastating than it used to be. Instead of waiting 40 minutes … (it) will probably only mean waiting less than 15 minutes (on the most frequent routes). However, the whole point of the system is that more people use it, that they can rely on it … (and) because the new system relies on transfers as part of almost every trip, missing a bus could potentially mean missing a connecting bus,' said Kyle Owens, president of Functional Transit Winnipeg. The network will use a spine-and-feeder concept, where direct spines along major corridors are supported by a network of feeder routes. Owens said there's also a risk the city will pay even more to expand the new north garage in the future, since construction prices typically rise over time. X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Gang war cops arrest teen after car and van linked to mob boss Mark Richardson torched in capital
Gang war cops arrest teen after car and van linked to mob boss Mark Richardson torched in capital

Daily Record

time2 days ago

  • Daily Record

Gang war cops arrest teen after car and van linked to mob boss Mark Richardson torched in capital

Police launched a probe after a Transit van was targeted in the capital, just minutes after a Range Rover was torched outside another home nearby. A teenager has been arrested and charged after two vehicles linked to mob boss Mark Richardson were firebombed in Edinburgh earlier this month. Police launched a probe after a Transit van was targeted on Niddrie Marischal Crescent in the capital. Minutes prior, a Range Rover was torched outside another home on nearby Campion Road. The double blaze-hit in the city just before 4am on Monday, June 9. ‌ Police have confirmed that a 17-year-old has now been arrested and charged in connection with the incidents. He has been released on an undertaking and is due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date. ‌ The arrest brings the total related to 'Operation Portaledge' so far to 49. Dubai-based gangster Ross McGill's faceless and frightening enforcers Tamo Junto (TMJ), claimed responsibility for the attacks in a video shared shortly after the attacks. The Transit van was blown up at a home linked to Richardson's pal Paddy Beatson, on Niddrie Marischal Crescent which had been attacked twice previously in recent months. On April 17, cops were alerted to possible fire damage at Beatson's home. And on March 20, shots were reportedly fired at the home by a masked gunman. The Range Rover was torched at a new build house on Campion Road around half a mile away. The same property was also previously targeted on May 10. ‌ Pictures taken at the time showed windows boarded up in the wake of the attack after men were filmed kicking in the door. The violent scenes were witnessed on the day Mr Big 'rejected a truce offer' with his enemies. The footage shared by TMJ showed flames bursting out of the Range Rover and the Ford Transit van. In one clip a hooded figure can be seen standing with an accelerant canister before he backs away from the fireball. ‌ The video played the song Two Tribes by 80s pop group Frankie Goes to Hollywood and ended with emojis of a black pawn chess piece and a sand timer appearing side by side. A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "A further arrest has been made in connection with the investigation into violent incidents in the East and West of the country. "This arrest brings the total related to Operation Portaledge so far to 49. ‌ Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "A 17-year-old man has been arrested and charged in relation to two wilful fireraisings in Edinburgh during the early hours of Monday, June 9, 2025, in Niddrie Marischal Crescent and Campion Road. "The 17-year-old was arrested on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. He was released on an undertaking to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court at a later date." ‌ The attacks were the latest in a series of violent incidents across the capital after a major turf war kicked off in March. The ongoing feud was sparked after Richardson's men bought £500k of cocaine from McGill with fake cash. Homes, cars and businesses belonging to associates of Mark Richardson have been hit in a series of firebombings. Machete thugs also pounced on his close ally David McMillan at his home in Pitcairn Grove last month. McGill's enforcers have also gone after the notorious Glasgow Daniel crime clan during the feud, with properties linked to the clan torched as violence erupted in Glasgow.

Long-awaited Winnipeg Transit network overhaul goes live Sunday
Long-awaited Winnipeg Transit network overhaul goes live Sunday

Winnipeg Free Press

time4 days ago

  • General
  • Winnipeg Free Press

Long-awaited Winnipeg Transit network overhaul goes live Sunday

Winnipeg's bus network will undergo a massive one-day transformation on Sunday that alters virtually every route. A transit advocate expects Winnipeggers will benefit from the changes overall, especially the fact many more routes will see buses arrive every 15 minutes or less. 'Winnipeg absolutely deserves and needs the service improvements that this offers…. We're going to be able to go from one route to another with frequent service and that is a game-changer for reliability and consistency,' said Kyle Owens, president of Functional Transit Winnipeg. Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Student Winner Ninah at the bus stop on Portage Ave. at Polo Park Tuesday. Winnipeg's bus network will undergo a massive one-day transformation on Sunday that alters virtually every route. The network will use a spine-and-feeder concept, where direct spines along major corridors are supported by a network of feeder routes. Owens said some feeder routes have shorter operating hours than the main lines they connect to, which could prevent riders who return home in the late evening from transferring to the same route they used earlier in the day. 'Although the city is providing on-demand service to cover a lot of those gaps, that is an extra step that a lot of people may not have used before…. That has the potential to be very frustrating and confusing,' said Owens. Two Winnipeg Transit riders the Free Press spoke with Tuesday expressed concerns about the route overhaul. Winner Nnah, a recent graduate of Technical Vocational High School, believes the changes will take a while to get used to. 'I feel like everything was a bit too sudden,' said Nnah. 'I have to check the new schedules and times they posted on the app and do a lot of planning on my phone, so it will definitely take time to learn.' He said the lack of consistency with the revamped route scheduling will also cause him to walk close to 10 minutes some days. 'In the wintertime, that's obviously not ideal,' he said. Colleen Freund, a downtown employee, isn't convinced the major route changes are needed. 'It's not broken, so don't fix it,' Freund said. 'I'm not keen on this change.' Freund, a daily bus user from Transcona, said Transit added more stops to her route, so it will take longer to get to work. To call attention to the new network, the city posted schedules online May 1, so riders could start virtually planning trips. Winnipeg Transit also provided question-and-answer sessions for bus drivers, met with community groups, distributed cards with QR codes linked to route information, took out ads and posted signs explaining the changes at every bus stop throughout the city, said Bjorn Radstrom, Transit's manager of service development. 'Our biggest marketing push was actually changing every single bus stop sign in the city and that is what caught people's attention. Whenever we put up a new sign, there was also a notice board underneath that explained the routes,' said Radstrom. Riders will need to adjust their bus stops, as well, since the change will reduce the total number from 5,200 to 4,000, as the city amalgamates and repositions them, he said. Radstrom said Transit considered enacting the overhaul in phases but feared that would have been more difficult for riders. 'The route network is just so intertwined from neighbourhood to neighbourhood… it would've been incredibly confusing for everybody,' he said. The new network is designed to be more reliable and easier to navigate, while main routes should allow Winnipeggers to wait less time for their next bus to arrive, he said. As the new routes begin Sunday, about seven or eight 'travel trainers' and 30 other Transit staff will be posted along main routes and stops, he said. 'It's a massive learning curve and people are going to need help, so we'll be out there to answer questions,' said Radstrom. He urged bus riders to plan out routes ahead through Winnipeg Transit's website and app, noting people can also get printed route maps at Transit customer service centres or call 311 for help planning their routes. The head of council's public works committee said she expects Transit is about to become more convenient for many Winnipeggers. 'People are very concerned about the transfers but… you get on your feeder route to get you to your spine — the main line — and then it's just minutes (to get the next bus),' said Coun. Janice Lukes. Lukes (Waverley West) said extra 311 operators will work Sunday to help address any concerns. 'We can't flip an entire network and expect perfection, but people need to remember the goal is to provide efficient, convenient transit service,' she said. Chris Scott, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505, said bus drivers are generally ready for the new network and Winnipeg Transit has done 'just about everything they can' to prepare the public. Tuesdays A weekly look at politics close to home and around the world. However, Scott asked riders to remember that the routes are new to drivers, too. 'We just ask for patience with the riding public. We're growing with this new system the same as they are,' he said. — With files from Massimo De Luca-Taronno X: @joyanne_pursaga Joyanne PursagaReporter Joyanne is city hall reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. A reporter since 2004, she began covering politics exclusively in 2012, writing on city hall and the Manitoba Legislature for the Winnipeg Sun before joining the Free Press in early 2020. Read more about Joyanne. Every piece of reporting Joyanne produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

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