Winnipeg Transit Overhaul Leaves Riders Stranded as Buses Pass By

Winnipeg Transit has recently faced significant challenges following the rollout of its redesigned bus route network. The new system, aimed at providing faster and more efficient service, has instead left many riders stranded as full buses continue to pass them by.

Increase in Pass-Ups

According to Winnipeg Transit data, the number of pass-ups has risen drastically this fall. From September to November, there were 6,971 instances of pass-ups, representing an increase of nearly 1,200 compared to the same period in 2024. This marks a rise of over 20 percent.

Rider Experiences

Commuters are experiencing growing frustrations as they wait for buses. At Jubilee Station, many riders hope the next bus will have space. Una Du, a regular rider, mentioned that she often faces pass-ups, especially in the afternoon when buses are already filled. She described the stress caused by this situation, as missing a bus can result in a lengthy wait for the next one.

Another commuter, Darien Duclos, shared similar concerns. He travels to and from downtown each weekday and has adjusted his schedule to minimize the chance of being passed up. “I’ve learned to expect it now,” he stated.

Transit Officials’ Perspective

Transit officials acknowledge that pass-ups tend to increase every September due to the return of students and workers. They note that ridership numbers continue to recover post-pandemic, drawing comparisons to pre-COVID levels. However, this year’s increase in pass-ups stands out as the most significant since the pandemic began.

• September 2025 pass-ups comparable to September 2019.
• Post-pandemic recovery is still ongoing.

City Actions and Responses

Councilor Janice Lukes, chair of the public works committee, stated that while fuller buses indicate stronger ridership, they also lead to ongoing pass-ups. She believes the situation demonstrates room for improvement, remarking on the achievement of having lesser pass-ups compared to 2019.

Challenges with Capacity and Funding

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505 representatives have voiced concerns over the frustrations faced by both riders and operators due to pass-ups. Union president Chris Scott pointed out that accurately comparing data after the network’s redesign has become difficult but acknowledged that capacity pressures remain an issue.

Without sufficient operating funds, Scott warned that the problem of pass-ups is likely to persist, especially as ridership continues to grow.

Winter Schedule Adjustments

To tackle the issue, Winnipeg Transit has implemented a new winter schedule. This schedule includes expanded late-night services and adjustments to routes exhibiting chronic delays. Key changes feature:

• Extended service for on-request zones until 2 a.m. on weekdays.
• Extra morning and afternoon trips for school-serving routes.
• Increased weekday service hours across several routes.

The changes aim to address rider feedback following the recent network overhaul. Despite these efforts, the community hopes to see improvements in service reliability and a reduction in the number of pass-ups in the future.