Winnipeg rapid transit under the microscope

WINNIPEG – Phase Two of Winnipeg’s rapid transit plan has come under scrutiny once again.

The Parker Wetlands Conservation Committee held an information session Tuesday night for dozens of area residents about the next leg of construction, but as they answered questions, some also criticized the lack of information being provided by the city about the route and future plans for the area.

“The city has no idea whether we’ll have more riders after this so-called rapid transit is put in or less riders,” said Calvin Dueck, co-chair of the Parker Wetlands Conservation Committee. “We need need to know that when we put that much money. The other thing, we haven’t seen any comprehensive study on the part of the wetlands. No environmental study, and to be putting a rapid transit through without doing the necessary study seems like catastrophe to me.”

The rapid transit line has been a source of controversy since day one. The plan is to have it run from Jubilee Avenue to the University of Manitoba through the Parker wetlands — considered one of the last remnants of tall grass prairie in Manitoba and one of  Winnipeg’s biggest green spaces.

Costs have also skyrocketed. The projected cost of the line is now twice what was originally estimated, rising to $600 million from $350 million.

One expert who spoke asked why taxpayers are paying hundreds of million dollars for a bus line when light rail would be more durable, cheaper long-term and more environmentally friendly.

“We’re now at $600 million to $650 million for Phase 2? If you haven’t been checking around, that’s the cost of building the Vancouver (Olympic) Skytrain. You can have a line that’s 50 per cent subway and 50 per cent elevated railway for what’s been spent on this,” said Edward Innes, an energy specialist.

Many in the crowd were skeptical about the benefits of the current plan, with one person calling it a “taxpayer scam.”

Organizers said they will continue to fight this as it makes its way through city hall.