Winnipeg Transit:

1. Has 93 regular routes and 34 school routes.
2. It has a fleet of 640 buses (as of 2019).
3. They run from 6:00 am to past midnight. Buses are available the entire week.
4. Fewer buses run on Saturdays and Sundays. They are Easy Access service buses.
5. There are more buses during rush hours. This is from 7:00-9:00 a.m. and 3:30 -5:30 p.m. on weekdays.
6. Buses are reliable. They come on time.
7. Sometimes heavy snow, traffic accidents or other emergencies can slow them down. They inform the public when this happens.

10 things you need to know about taking the bus:

Know your bus

1. Three routes:
   • Main line – These buses go from suburban neighbourhoods to downtown. They stop at all bus stops. They run seven days a week.
   • Express – These buses run during rush hour to downtown. They stop at only a few bus stops.
   • Suburban feeders – These buses service suburban areas where there are few passengers.

   School charters are buses that run near junior high and high schools. They run in the morning and afternoon during week days. There are no school charters on early dismissal days and when there is no school.

2. All Winnipeg Transit buses are low floor and accessible.
   • Buses can lower the front part so seniors or persons with disabilities can get on easily.
   • They have a flip-down ramp for people on mobility devices.
3. Bus routes and destinations are identified by:
   • route number
   • route name
   • route destination

   You can see these on the electronic sign in front of the bus and on the sides.

4. Downtown Spirit buses
• These are buses that give free rides all over downtown.
• They go around major destinations every day of the week.
• Downtown Spirit Schedules.
5. Dial-A-Ride (DART) buses:
• Buses that serve South and South East Winnipeg.
• They run during off-peak hours. They pick passengers up to and from transfer connections.
• Passengers need to call in advance. Rides are on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Call 204-287-DART or 311 if you need DART.
6. Transit Plus (formerly known as Handi-transit):
• These are cars, mini vans, and mini buses. The vans are wheelchair-accessible.
• They give door-to-door service for persons with disabilities.
• You have to apply for this service.
• Read the Transit Plus page for information on eligibility, registration, trip requests, fare, and other questions.

Getting to your destination:

1. Use the Navigo Trip Planner. It will tell you:
• when and where to catch the bus
• the number and route of the bus
• the time you need to go to the bus stop
• the time you will reach your destination
• several choices to reach your destination

You can also plan your return trip on Navigo.
 

2. Make sure that you understand the directions on the trip planner.
• Check the map on the right side of the screen. It shows the direction your bus will be taking. It also shows the streets and landmarks along the way.
• Click on the map. Zoom in to see the actual picture of the bus stop. Look at what the area looks like.
• See whether the bus stop is northbound/southbound or eastbound/westbound.
• Write down the 5-digit bus stop number to be sure that you are on the right stop.
3. Wait at the bus stop.
• To know if it is the right bus stop, check the bus stop sign. You can see the:

• street name
• route number of the buses that stop there
• express route numbers
• bus stop number
• Telebus phone number
• Ask the driver if you are taking the right bus. Ask before you get in.
• Leave your house 5-10 minutes early. Be at the stop before the bus comes.
• Get mobile Transit tools. These help you get real-time schedule information and other updates.
• TeleBUS
• Busguide
• BUStxt
• BUSWatch
• BUSgadget
• QR codes
• Winnipeg Transit on Twitter
• Pick up timetables and maps at Winnipeg Transit centres downtown.
• They are also posted on bus stops all over the city.

Do you have your peggo card?

1. Pay for your fare by using the peggo card.
2. You can also pay cash (but it will be more expensive).

• Pay the exact amount. Drivers will not accept bills. They do not carry change.
• The latest fares here: Transit Fares.
• Students (17-21 years) can pay the reduced fare. Show your GoCARD photo ID.
• Seniors (65 years old and older) can also avail of reduced rates by showing a Government-issued ID or Transit Photo ID when paying.
• The Low-Income Transit Pass or WINNpass Program is now accepting applications. Low-income earners and refugees who have been here less than a year get a 30% discount on the full-fare monthly adult pass in 2020. The discount will increase to 40% in 2021 and 50% in 2022.
3. Buy peggo cards at 7-Eleven stores and Shopper’s Drug Mart.
• Click for a complete list of outlets.
• Buy it online or by calling 311. The card will be mailed to you within 14 days.
• Two kinds of peggo:

• The green peggo card is for those paying a reduced fare. For example, youth and seniors. It must be registered.
• The white peggo card is for those paying full fares. Holders can choose not to register. But registering has benefits. Your card balance is protected if it is lost or stolen. You can reload online.
• Two types of fares:

• e-pass – for unlimited number of trips during a set number of consecutive days.
• e-cash – for single rides. Also, a 75-minute transfer is automatically loaded on your peggo. No more paper transfer.
• What’s a Period Pass and Rolling Pass?

  • A Period Pass begins at the end of the month and ends at the end of the last day of the month.
  • Rolling Passes begin on the day you tap your Peggo card against the smart card reader.

Priority seats

1. Seats behind the driver are called Priority Seats.
2. The seats can be folded. This will make space for baby carriages, wheelchairs or strollers.
3. Please vacate them when needed. Give way to seniors, parents with baby carriages, or persons with disabilities.
4. The first row of seats facing front are wheelchair-accessible. The seats have wheel locks for wheel chairs underneath. Vacate them when needed.

No smoking please!

1. Smoking is not allowed on the bus.
2. Don’t eat or drink on the bus. If you must, don’t leave your trash behind.
3. No pets allowed. Only seeing-eye or hearing dogs and small pets in carry-on containers.
4. Drunk and unruly passengers will be picked up by police.

Getting off the bus

1. Each stop (street name) is displayed in front and announced.
2. The next stop is announced before the bus reaches it.
3. Press the stop button (a red button on poles near the doors) to stop the bus. Or pull the yellow string (along the side of the windows).
4. Pulling or pressing makes a pinging sound and a “stop” sign appears on the screen.
5. Exit using the back door.
6. Exit through the front door if you are near it.

Request stop

1. Request stop if you get home beyond 7:00 p.m. and the streets are not safe.
2. Ask the driver to take you to the street nearest your home.
3. Ask the driver ahead of time.

Problems on the bus

1. Complain to the driver if somebody is bothering you on the bus.
2. You are being harassed when someone says bad things to you, or is hurting or bothering you.
3. The driver can ask the person to get off. The driver can also call the police to help out.

What is Busology?

1. Busology is a set of posters. They show situations on the bus in funny cartoons.
2. It is used to remind people about practicing common courtesy when riding the bus.
3. Examples: “Back-A-Da-Bus-O-Phobia”, “Prioritus Seatus”, and “Backus Packus Smakus”.
4. Click here to see all the posters.

Lost and found

1. Call the Lost Property Office (311) if you left something on the bus.
• Give a description of the item
• Give the route number of the bus.
• Say the time you were on the bus.
2. The office is located downtown. It is in the South West Concourse under Portage and Main.
3. Call 311 if you found something on the bus.
4. You can also give the item to the bus driver.

 
Article updated May 1, 2020.