Winnipeg Transit wants to hike passenger fares next year due to rising fuel prices.
The proposed changes would see a five-cent increase to full and handi-transit cash fares, reduced and senior cash fares, and full and handi-transit tickets. Reduced and senior tickets would increase by three cents per ticket.
Another culprit for the rate change is being blamed on increased bus replacement costs and inflation.
City council must approve the rate changes, and if passed, would take effect January 1, 2012.
Fares aren’t the only issue Winnipeg Transit is tackling. Transit is also recommending service changes to accomodate the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor.
The first stage of the corridor is set to open Sunday, April 8, 2012 and will involve the reorganization of several transit routes.
Three new stations will be located on the transitway, including Fort Rouge (in the Fort Rouge Yards), Osborne (on a new bridge over Osborne Street near Osborne Junction), and Harkness (at Harkness and Stradbrook).
The same fares and payment system will be in place for riders of rapid transit.
Council will convene on both the proposed fare increase and route changes on Friday.
