A man boards a bus at a bus stop along Portage Avenue in Winnipeg, Wednesday, April 13, 2022. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mike Sudoma)
The City of Winnipeg is expanding a pilot project that replaces traditional safety glass in bus shelters with polycarbonate panels.
The stronger material is designed to withstand vandalism and keep shelters usable for transit riders.
The pilot began in fall 2025, when polycarbonate panels were installed at 22 shelters across Winnipeg. The project was launched after the city spent more than $1 million replacing broken shelter glass over the past five years.
City officials say polycarbonate costs about 15 percent more than safety glass but is about 250 times more impact-resistant. Early results from the pilot also suggest it holds up better against damage.
“Riders count on having a safe place to wait for the bus, especially during Winnipeg winters,” said Mayor Scott Gillingham, in a release.
“By installing stronger, more durable panels, we’re making sure shelters stay in place and stay usable. It’s a practical step that improves service for Transit riders while protecting taxpayer dollars.”
Of the 22 shelters equipped with the new panels, 14 have not been vandalized. At six locations where panels were knocked loose, city crews were able to reinstall the same undamaged panels.
Only one shelter required replacement panels after a motor vehicle collision, though officials say the panels survived the crash but were stolen before crews arrived.
The city plans to expand the pilot to more than 70 shelters by the end of 2026. Polycarbonate panels will also be used on rapid transit display signs, with 24 signs now featuring the stronger material and new digital screens being added throughout the year.
