What's New
Winnipeg Transit testing new Rapid Transit Corridor, public advised to stay off Transitway
Winnipeg, MB. – The City of Winnipeg is advising media and the public to stay off the newly constructed 3.6 km Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor Transitway and to exercise caution at street intersections along the corridor.
Winnipeg Transit officials are reminding residents to be safe and avoid trespassing on the Transitway, which is now an active roadway with test buses approaching speeds of 80 kmh. Pedestrians and cyclists are at risk if they enter the Transitway and are advised to stay on public rights-of-way adjacent to the corridor. Strict adherence to all Transitway signs and signals is equally important for motorists also, as they will be sharing intersections with the test buses at certain times of the day.
Winnipeg Transit has been conducting driver training on the corridor since December 16, 2011. The Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor is scheduled to open on Sunday, April 8, 2012.
For more information on Rapid Transit or the Southwest Rapid Transit Corridor, visit Winnipeg Rapid Transit
Winnipeg Transit’s Open Data Web Service
Winnipeg Transit has outfitted its fleet with iBUS technology that includes on-board GPS tracking, automated schedule adherence monitoring, “next stop” displays/announcements, route destination announcements for waiting passengers when a bus pulls up to a bus stop, and a security camera system. The bus radio communication system automatically relays data about any schedule deviations recorded by the buses to a central database. This continuously updated database reflects the current status of all transit service and is used to broadcast “real-time” transit information to passengers through the following channels:
| Website | winnipegtransit.com (includes Navigo trip planner, route and stop timetables, and detailed information about stops, routes, fares, etc.) |
|---|---|
| BUSguide | Mobile website m.winnipegtransit.com for Internet-enabled mobile devices |
| TeleBUS | Telephone interactive voice response system that reports upcoming bus departures for a specified stop |
| BUStxt | SMS text messaging application that reports upcoming bus departures, finds the nearest stops, and more |
| BUSwatch | Electronic displays at major stops that show upcoming bus departures from the stop |
| BUSgadget | A downloadable application from www.winnipegtransit.com that counts down a stop’s bus departures on a desktop or mobile device |
| Twitter Feeds | “Transitalerts” and “Winnipeg Transit” feeds about service status, detours, and upcoming service changes |
Winnipeg Transit’s data is now publicly available through an Open Data Web Service that allows developers to create third-party apps for any mobile (iPhones and Android devices) or desktop platform. Programmers can now create new applications for passengers that supplement the ones already developed by Winnipeg Transit.
For more information or to sign up please visit our Open Data Web Service
Winnipeg Transit testing safety shields
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg Transit is exploring the idea of installing safety shields to protect its 1,100 Bus Operators from assaults. Prototype enclosures have been installed in the driver compartment of two transit buses to evaluate the effectiveness of the shatterproof panels and gauge reaction from Bus Operators and customers.
Winnipeg Transit and the Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1505 (ATU) have been looking into the feasibility of using clear plastic shields to enhance the safety and security of Bus Operators. The test shields are designed to reduce the chance of anyone making physical contact with an Operator. The shields are made from a polycarbonate material that is strong enough to deflect most projectiles. Customers will still be able to communicate verbally with the Operator through speaking holes in the partition.
In 2009, there were 70 reports of Operators being subjected to some type of physical assault, about 40% of assaults were in the form of persons spitting or throwing an object at the Operator. Transit officials estimate a safety shield could prevent a significant number of these assaults.
“There is evidence that safety shields could decrease the number of assaults on our Operators”, said Dave Wardrop, Director of Winnipeg Transit. “More importantly, our initial research indicates the shields might reduce the severity of an assault. The safety and security of our employees is a priority and we’re very interested in seeing the results of this test”.
“The ATU and Winnipeg Transit share the same concerns with regard to safety”, said Keith Scott, President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505. “We will continue to work with our members and Transit to reduce assaults on Bus Operators and provide as safe a workplace as possible for our membership”.
Testing of the shields is expected to take several months and further evaluation may be required before there is any decision to install the devices on more buses. Part of the purpose of the trial is to research costing and to establish appropriate budgeting required. Winnipeg Transit is encouraging the public to call 311 or visit winnipegtransit.com to let them know how they feel about the protective shields.
A number of transit systems in North America have installed or are testing similar shields.
Please click the link for a photo of the shield
