Winnipeg councillor in charge of transit wants more frequent bus service

The councillorresponsible for Winnipeg Transit wants the utility to figure out a way to provide more frequent bus service.

Council public works chair Marty Morantz (Charleswood-Tuxedo-Whyte Ridge) has authored a motion to ask Winnipeg Transit to "consider a proposed network of bus routes to provide frequent service that is integrated with rapid-transit planning."

Morantz said he is impressed by the ideas of consultant Jarrett Walker, author of Human Transit, who argues in favour of employing simple geometry essentially, a grid systemin the planning of transit routes.

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The councillor said while he believes Winnipeg Transit provides a "high level of service," he'd like to improve it.

Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman said he supports the motion, but said it will be difficult for transit to improve its service after the province ended a long-standing commitment to cover half of Winnipeg Transit's operating costs.

Morantz's motion will come before thenext meeting of the public works committee.