Canada's only international public transit service dominates Windsor's 2025 budget talks

City council is being told to find a way to spend more money on Transit Windsor instead of a agreeing to a proposed service reduction.

The topic dominated the city's public delegation period focusing on the 2025 capital and operating budget.

People have had 10 days to review the budget pitched by Mayor Drew Dilkens.

That budget, if approved, will increase the tax levy by 2.9 per cent. 

Multiple delegations focused on a proposed $1.4-million cut to Transit Windsor's budget that's listed in the budget without any attached details.

That lack of detail signals that it likely deals with people's jobs and will not be discussed in public.

On Monday, Dilkens confirmed the item dealt with the potential elimination of Windsor's tunnel bus that crosses the border into Detroit. 

"The subsidy provided to operate the tunnel bus is just dramatic," said Dilkens, citing the 10 sick days required for workers in federally regulated industries, which includes Transit Windsor because of the international crossing. 

"It's not an essential service, going across an international border; that's something we're certainly not required to provide."

Nate Hope of Activate Transit Windsor-Essex was handing out flyers on the weekend to folks at the Transit Windsor tunnel bus pick-up location. 

He told council some people had no interest in the flyer but grabbed for it when they heard it had to do with potential tunnel bus cuts.  

"When they heard that there might be a possibility of something happening with the tunnel bus they were really shocked," said Hope. 

He's connected with Transit Riders United, another advocacy group in Detroit, and both believe there could be tweaks to the tunnel bus route on both sides of the border. 

Meg Gregoire, a law student at the University of Windsor, said that there needs to be increased investment in Transit Windsor because it helps reduce emissions. 

"It feels like a step backward from the city council's climate emergency declaration," said Gregoire.

"The message these proposals send is very clear: public transit is not a priority."

Ken Lewenza, the former president of the Canadian Auto Workers union, backed the push for investment in Transit Windsor. 

"I certainly support the need to enhance transit," he told council, pointing out the irony of his focus on public transit because of his background.

Autoworkers advocate speaks out for supports transit

"You might see that as kind of a contradiction coming from a leader who was responsible for the auto industry in many ways, but it's truthful."

He urged council to centre its attention on the environment as it makes decisions in city hall, citing previous expert predictions of wildfires, floods and other climate disasters that would occur if the environment was overlooked. 

"It comes at a cost, there's no question about that," said Lewenza.

"Is this an environmentally sustainable decision moving forward? I would argue that transit needs investment more than ever." 

Increase taxes for better transit, says downtown resident

"There are many things that define a great city, and high up on that list is an excellent transit system," said downtown resident Michelle Smith. 

Smith said she's a homeowner who would pay more in taxes for better Transit Windsor service. 

John Di Nino, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union in Canada, reiterated the union's calls to increase spending on transit. 

"Buses are overcrowded, cancelled or subject to lengthy wait times," he told council. 

"What Windsor needs right now is increased investment in improving and expanding service in public transit, not the proposed cuts."

Di Nino called the tunnel bus service a "key" to Windsor's economy. 

"I urge you to see the mayor's proposed cuts to Transit Windsor as what they are: shortsighted actions that will degrade the quality of life to the citizens of Windsor."

Wayne Charbonneau told city council that every day he goes to work, he does something illegal: riding his bike on the sidewalk. 

He said it's the safest way for him to get around the city without proper bike lanes along his route or a route in the city that would work for him. 

Charbenou said he cycled past a man walking on the sidewalk who urged him to use the road. 

"I'll die on my way to work if I do that," he told council. 

"I get a little scared every time I hear a car coming from behind me."

He urged city council to prioritize projects that will make it easier for people to walk and bike to schools. 

City council will meet again on Jan. 27 to discuss the budget and pitch potential amendments.