More changes are coming to Winnipeg’s transit system as the city works to improve routes. The city said in a news release Wednesday it has been listening to feedback from riders and the new routes, which are scheduled to be launched in June and September, have been created as a “direct result of what we’ve heard from residents.” “We are once again recommending adjustments to make Transit more reliable, increase supply to meet demand, and simplify routes,” the city said. The first round of changes is currently scheduled to take effect on June 21 and affects routes D19 and D16. The D19 route will now have the terminal on Kennedy Street, which the city said will bring people closer to places like Canada Life Centre and the Winnipeg Clinic. D16 is being split into two routes. The new D16 will run from Polo Park to downtown, going through Academy, River/Stradbrook, and Tache and Main. The new route coming out of D16 will be called D18 and will run from Red River College’s Notre Dame campus to downtown, going through Notre Dame and William. As well, the area for the on-request bus in zone 106 is expanding south from Edison Avenue to Kimberly Avenue. Then, fall changes are set to start on Sept. 6, which will affect six routes throughout the city. It would start with the terminal for FX4 at Polo Park being moved to Portage Avenue, which would allow the bus to turn left, making it simpler for everyone, the city said. Route 48 in Transcona would see a slight extension, going from Kildonan Place to the Crossroads Station at Walmart. Route 649 would also be extended. Instead of turning onto Fleetwood, the route would now continue up Scurfield Boulevard, then Columbia, and then onto McGillivray. The city said this change would serve more residents in the area. The next change goes along with what will happen on 649. Route 650 will no longer go on Scurfield and instead continue on Fleetwood. “We are recommending this adjustment due to lower-than-expected ridership,” the city said in a news release. “We would use the savings from this adjustment to fund the extension for route 649.” The last two changes would involve routes around the University of Manitoba. The city is looking to move the terminal for routes 678 and 679 to make it easier for riders and reduce pressure on the Blue Line, the city said. The terminal would move from Dafoe Road to University Crescent. Route 678 would then travel on University Crescent while 679 would go on Chancellor Drive instead of Abinojii Mikanah. More changes are also expected to come in the fall regarding more buses and increased frequency. The city plans to announce those plans later in the summer. The new route changes will be discussed at the public works committee meeting on May 5.
