The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ says a new public survey reveals significant frustration among transit users travelling to and around downtown.

The organization launched the Probe Research survey in December 2025 to gather feedback on how recent transit changes are affecting access to the city’s core. Over six weeks, 1,395 people responded.

According to the findings, 84 percent of downtown transit riders said they are unhappy with the new system, including 67 percent who described themselves as very unhappy.

Commute times have increased by an average of 22 minutes, rising from 29 minutes to 51 minutes. One-third of respondents reported their trip downtown now takes more than an hour.

“We were hearing from business owners, workers, residents and visitors that the new transit network was creating barriers for folks coming downtown and getting around the neighbourhood,”
said Kate Fenske, CEO, Downtown Winnipeg BIZ.

The survey also found behavioural changes among riders. About half of respondents said they are choosing alternatives such as driving or using ride-hailing services instead of taking the bus. Nearly 70 percent said they are visiting downtown less often for leisure activities like shopping, errands or events.

The report noted that dissatisfaction was particularly high among groups that already face barriers, including low-income residents, seniors and people with disabilities.

City promises route changes are coming

The City of Winnipeg says its upcoming spring/summer transit schedule will tackle some of the issues that have been rasied, particularly commuting in and out of the city’s core.

“Winnipeg Transit is continuing to make improvements to the new network by listening to riders and refining service where it’s needed most,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham, in a release.

“These proposed route changes respond directly to ideas brought forward by passengers and the Downtown Winnipeg BIZ — improving connections to jobs, events, and services while making our bus network more reliable.”

The city is recommending changes to the D16, D18, and D19 routes. A revised D16 line would go from Polo Park to downtown via Academy, River/Stradbrook, Tache and Main. A new 18 route would go from RRC Notre Dame to downtown via Notre Dame and William.

The standing policy committee will consider these changes on March 4. If approved, they would take effect with the summer schedule in June.

Read the full Downtown Winnipeg BIZ transit survey below:

Winnipeg Transit Downtown Report by ChrisDca