Thousands avoiding fare payments for Winnipeg Transit: new data

A new report from the city shares what Transit riders thinks about new safety changes to buses. Joseph Bernacki explains.

Thousands of people try to avoid paying for transit every week, according to new data from the city.

A new report notes that since July of last year, Winnipeg Transit and the Community Safety Team have switched their approach when it comes to fares – from education to enforcement.

Between January 1 and April 20 this year, the Community Safety Team got involved in 20,326 fare enforcement incidents. Of those, 8,816 people were denied rides, 6,313 walked away, 4,029 warnings were given and 1,168 passengers ended up paying.

“I think the numbers are pretty impressive for a small team that we have. We’ve really been putting a focused effort on education and awareness,” said Robert Chrismas, the team lead of the Community Safety Team.

Despite the numbers, passengers think more needs to be done.

Brent Larose takes the bus multiple times a week. He said he was assaulted while riding the bus back in February and has yet to see safety officers on one of the buses he is on.

“You can’t expect drivers to enforce this. It’s too dangerous,” said Larose. “I’ve seen drivers try and they get berated. I’ve seen guys getting on the bus smoking cigarettes, throwing a beer can on the ground, get on the bus and say, ‘I have no money to pay.’ That doesn’t make sense to me.”

Chrismas said his team is small - there have been 30 safety officers on buses since 2024 – but they are working hard to try and patrol the more than 600 buses in the city.

“We are in a crisis of meth and unsheltered people living in impoverished conditions. So we’re trying to approach problems getting at the root causes,” said Chrismas.

Speaking to CTV News, Public Works Chair Janice Lukes said it’s not clear how much money the city is losing to fare evasion. She notes more provincial investment could help bolster the number of officers that ride on buses.

The transit report will be discussed at the Public Works committee meeting on June 10.