Manitoba

Security to ride on Winnipeg buses this year, says mayor

Winnipeg Transit riders will soon see a new passenger on city buses, Mayor Scott Gillingham confirmed Thursday at city hall.

Would fulfil promise Scott Gillingham made during last fall's civic election campaign

A bus is driving through an intersection during a snow storm. A street sign says "Portage Avenue." The bus sign says "14 Paddington."
Winnipeg Transit buses will soon have security riding onboard, Mayor Scott Gillingham confirmed Thursday. (Tyson Koschik/CBC)

Winnipeg Transit riders will soon see a new passenger on city buses.

Mayor Scott Gillingham confirmed Thursday at city hall that security will be hopping on buses later this year, fulfilling a campaign promise he made prior to last fall's civic election.

There is no timeline on when exactly transit security will start to frequent city buses.

"We're actively looking at it now. I would like to get it to happen as soon as possible. Whether it's three months or shortly after that, I don't have a definite timeline, but I can assure you we're actively working on getting this in place," Gillingham said.

The Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505, which represents Winnipeg Transit drivers, has previously called for a transit security force, as well as full shields to protect drivers and an improved radio system to call for help.

More information pertaining to transit security could be on the horizon when the city's budget comes out in February, Gillingham said.