Winnipeg looks at free transit rides for veterans on Remembrance Day

A group of retired transit bus drivers wants the City of Winnipeg to offer free bus rides to veterans on Remembrance Day, and the mayor seems to be on board.

Retired driver George Morrison said the group has been lobbying Winnipeg Transit and the city for years to recognize veterans in this way.

"We looked into it and we found just about every other major city in Canada was offering free rides to veterans," he said. "I've sent letters a couple times and never heard anything back from [the city]."

He said he has friends who were in the militaryand the idea came up in conversation.

"They've done a lot. They've made a lot of sacrifices," he said. "Just to offer them a small, $2 ride it's not going to cost [the city] a lot."

Morrison said a free bus ride would "at least enable them to get to and from Remembrance Day services, either at the legions, the ANAVETS [Army, Navy and Air Force Veterans in Canada]or downtown at the convention centre."

Retired Winnipeg Transit driver and union representativeKeith Scott, 59, said giving veterans a financial break is only part of the message the free ride would send.

"I think the more that it would benefit them is for their self-worth, as a token for how much respect people have for them, because I think society generally starts to forget what has happened in the past," Scott said.

On Wednesday, Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman said he is aware of the request to his office.

"I fully support free transit on Remembrance Day for members of the Canadian Armed Forces as well as veterans," he said.

He's asked staff to look at the feasibility of offering free rides to veterans in time for this Remembrance Day, which falls on Saturday.

Winnipeg chief administrative officer DougMcNeilsaid Winnipeg Transit is looking into the idea.

He said it remains to be seen how bus drivers would identify veterans.

Veteran Murdoch Jardineread the letter Morrison wroteto the mayor. He said it was "really well done."

"Hopefully the city can come through," he said. "I think it's a good gesture and it brings it to attention to remind people."