Transit Improvements & Rapid Transit Stage 2
Transit
Next to downtown Winnipeg, the University of Manitoba is the second most commuted to destination in our City. This fact, combined with the rapid growth of the communities of South Pointe and Bridgewater, is resulting in an increased demand for increased transit service in the South Winnipeg- St. Norbert Ward. This is great news, as more and more people want to take transit which reduces congestion as well as wear and tear on our roadways! Transit is a sustainable and cost effective form of transportation, and I will be working to improve transit service in our communities. I will also be very involved with the second phase of Rapid Transit, ensuring it is on time and on budget.
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Lukes: Strong Supporter Of Transit
During the next few months, there will be much discussion about transit. I want to ensure residents are aware of my support and position on transit. I understand the significant role transportation plays in our City’s economy, and in the quality of life for our...

Improving Transit in South Winnipeg
By spring of 2020, the Southwest Transitway is projected to be completed and in operation! For the next year and a half, Transit’s route planners will be reviewing CHANGES to existing transit routes in South Winnipeg. Shorter routes will ‘feed into’ the corridor,...

Information Session – Southwest Rapid Transitway (Stage 2)
DATE: Thursday, April 26, 2018 TIME: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. LOCATION: Canad Inns Fort Garry, 1824 Pembina Hwy., Ambassador Room F (lower level) FORMAT: Drop-in (come and go) Winnipeggers are invited to attend an information session to learn more about the 2018 construction...

Riding the Bus with Amalgamated Transit Union 1505
Riding the BUS with Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU 1505) Reps Pleased to ride the #12 today with ATU 1505 President Aleem Chaudhary, and Zach Fleisher, Communication Director at ATU 1505. Serious discussions with Mr. Chaudhary and Mr. Fleisher on the bus today. We...

Winnipeg Transit – Preliminary Budget 2018
As I am not a member of the Mayor's Executive Policy Committee, I was not involved at all in crafting and balancing the City of Winnipeg's 2018 Preliminary Budget. This is important to note as I now am reviewing the budget in detail and am having meetings with the...

YOUR Transportation Priorities – 2018 City Budget
As the representative for South Winnipeg–St. Norbert, which is Winnipeg's most populated ward (~68,000 people), I’m inviting you to e-mail me your comments on transportation investments which Winnipeg City Council will be voting upon in the 2018 budget. (E-Mail: ...

Transit Service in South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward
Since being elected in fall, 2014 as City Councillor for the South Winnipeg-St. Norbert ward, I’ve been working to secure funding in the City budget for transit expansion into Bridgwater Centre, Bridgwater Lakes and South Pointe. After three years, funding was...

YOU ARE INVITED: Official Opening of Stadium Station & Bohémier Trail at Investors Group Field
Please join myself, dignitaries and member of the public for the official opening of Stadium Station at Investors Group Field, as well as the opening of the new Bohémier Trail. Date: Tuesday, July 4, 2017 Time: 10:30 a.m. Place: Investors Group Field Football...

Construction Under Way for Southwest Rapid Transitway
Planning and construction for the Southwest Rapid Transitway are well under way. When Stage 2 of the project is complete and operational in 2020, the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor will link Winnipeg’s downtown to Winnipeg’s southwest neighbourhoods, including the...

Making Transit More Customer Focused – Discussion Series
I am EXTREMELY pleased to be working with many community partners on a very informative transit event! In fall 2015, on the advice of good friends, Curt Hull (Climate Change Connection) and Joseph Kornelsen (Functional Transit), I arranged a SKYPE meeting with Jarret...

Transit Routes Finalized for Bridgwater Lakes & South Pointe – September 3rd Launch
Winnipeg Transit will be expanding into the communities of Bridgewater Lakes and South Pointe with service beginning on September 3, 2017! This good news has been a long time coming for these communities, and I am very pleased to finally see this expansion occur....

Southwest Rapid Transitway & Parker Storm Retention Basin – Dual Information Sessions
Please join me on Tuesday, February 28 for TWO public information sessions being held at CanadInns Fort Garry, 1824 Pembina Highway. Construction of the Southwest Rapid Transitway (Stage 2) Project began in August, 2016 and will continue this year with the development...

Transit Expansion – Bridgwater & South Pointe
Transit funding for routes in Bridgwater and South Pointe WAS APPROVED in the 2017 budget process! This is welcome news for thousands of transit users in these growing communities! Since being elected, I’ve been working to secure funding in the City's budget for...

Transit Garage Expansion Project – Information Session
Everyone is invited to attend an upcoming information session on the Transit Garage Expansion project: Date: Thursday, January 19, 2017 Time: 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Location: Fort Rouge Leisure Centre, 625 Osborne Street Winnipeg Transit’s fleet has been increasing in...

Drone Video of Southwest Rapid Transitway Under Construction
The Southwest Transitway is a high-speed roadway for buses, physically separated from the regular street system. All existing bus routes in Southwest Winnipeg will be able to use the transitway to travel to and from downtown faster. Buses operate at speeds up to 80...

Transit Update in Bridgwater & South Pointe
This overview is to provide an update on efforts to secure an extension of Winnipeg Transit service in South Winnipeg. Expanding transit service is a top request from residents in the Bridgwater and South Pointe communities - it's also listed as 1 of 2 top priorities...

Funding for Winnipeg Transit and Watermains
On July 25, 2016, the Federal Government announced major funding for projects across Manitoba! The City of Winnipeg will be receiving $79.4 million for transit initiatives, as well as $4.1 million in federal-provincial funds to upgrade watermains in Transcona. Based...

Information Session on SW Rapid Transitway
Citizens are invited to attend a public information session, hosted by the City of Winnipeg, to view the plans for the Southwest Rapid Transitway (Stage 2). City staff will be on hand to provide information on design plans, project elements, and construction...

Purchase of Manitoba Hydro Transmission Corridor Lands
Here's a brief summary of my position and how I voted at the June 15th, 2016 City Council meeting regarding the purchase of the Manitoba Hydro transmission corridor lands for the Southwest Rapid Transitway (Stage 2) and Pembina Highway Underpass Project: I support...

2016 Approved Budget Impact – Transit in South Winnipeg-St. Norbert Ward
A significant investment in transit was made in the City’s 2016 Approved Budget – but there are also some significant challenges Winnipeg Transit is facing. In my earlier post on the PRELIMINARY budget, I prepared a detailed overview to help you understand the...

2016 Approved Budget Impact – Handi-Transit
Funding for an updated Handi-Transit Scheduling System was approved in the City's 2016 budget. The current system (iRide) has been identified as needing replacement, as it was custom written in 2002. Research has been undertaken by Handi-Transit over the past two...

2016 Preliminary Budget – Transit in South Winnipeg-St. Norbert
The transit overview in the 2016 preliminary budget offers some very positive highlights and some ongoing challenges faced by Winnipeg Transit. HIGHLIGHTS The Rapid Transit multi-year funding program begins with a tax increase of .33% for 10 years Province of Manitoba...

Transit Smartens Up: Smart Cards due to Replace Paper Tickets in June
Winnipeg Transit announced on March 3, 2016 that it will be rolling out a smart card fare collection system this year. For more information regarding this program, please click on the link below to read the article from The Uniter on March 17, 2016:...

Transportation Conversations with the Chair of Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works
I sit as Chair of what I believe is one of the most fascinating committees in the City of Winnipeg: the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works (SPC IRPW). This Committee oversees many transportation related issues (active transportation,...

Winnipeg Transit to Return to Full Fall Service Schedule
Beginning Tuesday, December 8, Winnipeg Transit will return to its full Fall service schedule restoring all previously reduced service levels that had resulted from mechanical issues with emissions control systems. Transit will continue to closely monitor the...

South Winnipeg To Get Better Transit — If There’s Money for It
On September 21, 2015, I chaired a meeting of the Standing Policy Committee for Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works. The meeting included discussion and review of a proposed plan to enhance transit service in South Winnipeg. I've attached a copy of the two...

“Hard decisions” loom for City and Transit
In the wake of an operational fiasco at Winnipeg Transit last week, the head of city hall's public works committee says Winnipeggers, and those elected to govern them, have to rethink their priorities in making ends meet. Coun. Janice Lukes (St. Norbert) said if...

Rapid Transit Research Project at U of M
An interesting article was just published in The Manitoban regarding a bus rapid transit research project being undertaken at the University of Manitoba. The project will examine how municipalities across Canada make decisions about bus rapid transit (BRT). As the...

Taking Action on Transit in Bridgwater & South Pointe
A recent article in The Sou’Wester Community newspaper (see below) provides some insight on Winnipeg Transit’s current position related to route expansion. I’d like to update you and provide you with additional information on what is occurring in the Bridgwater and...

UPDATE – Transit in Bridgwater and South Pointe
On June 23, 2015, I chaired a meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works. One of the issues on the agenda was the need for increased transit service in the communities of Bridgwater and South Pointe. The Winnipeg Public...

Transit Park & Ride Required for South Winnipeg
On May 28, 2015, the City of Winnipeg hosted a public information session on the Functional Design of Stage 2 of the Southwest Transitway at the CanadInns on Pembina Highway. To review the information and display boards which were presented, see the link below:...

City To Unveil Plans For Stage 2 Of Southwest Transitway
Transit riders’ trips to Investors Group Field is in for a dramatic change as phase two of the city’s Southwest Transitway inches towards completion. On Thursday, Winnipeggers will get the first glimpse at how that trek will look. An open house will reveal the city’s...
Invitation: Rapid Transit Stage 2 Information Session
On Thursday May 28, Winnipeg Transit will host a drop in information session on the Functional Design of Stage 2 of the Southwest Transitway. Project representatives will be available to explain the design and answer any questions. 3:30 to 9:00 p.m. on...

Stadium Pedestrian Path Takes Shape
The road leading to Investors Group Field is on the path to a $1.3-million overhaul. As part of the city's 2015 pedestrian and cycling plan, a pathway on Chancellor Matheson Road -- from Investors Group Field to Pembina Highway -- is being proposed to deal with...

Winnipeg Transit Spring Schedule In Effect April 12
Spring has officially arrived, and that means a change to Winnipeg Transit schedules! Beginning on Sunday, April 12, 2015, the following Transit routes will be operating on a Spring Schedule: 17 McGregor 36 Northwest Super Express 44 Grey 72...

Transit U-Pass Approved For Students
Improving transit service in the South Winnipeg–St. Norbert Ward is one of my top ten priorities. On March 25, 2015, I supported members of City Council as they approved the “U-Pass”, a special transit pass for students at the University of Winnipeg and University of...

Increased Transit Service to Bridgwater/South Pointe Communities
On January 19, I brought forward a motion (Increase Transit Motion 2015) to have the Winnipeg Public Service research and report back (in 120 days) on their findings related to improving transit service in these communities. A motion is a formal request to ‘get the...

Lukes’ Comments on Dog Leg Route of Stage 2 Rapid Transit
READ COUNCILLOR LUKES' PRESENTATION: City Council - Rapid Transit February 25, 2015
Want Winnipeg Transit buses in Waverley West? Call 311
Want Winnipeg Transit buses in Waverley West? Call 311: Despite a big jump in the population of the Bridgwater Lakes area, there is no bus service available. Area resident Lori says she has expressed has her concerns to the City of Winnipeg. "My frustration, (and...