Relatively few Winnipeggers rely on their city’s public transit system to get around, but a significant share – nearly one-half – take Winnipeg Transit now and then. One thing that unites regular users, infrequent users and non-users of Winnipeg Transit is that they want to see better safety and security on city buses, as they feel this will encourage more people like them to take the bus rather than rely on their cars.

When asked what is the one thing Winnipeg Transit could do to improve this service, nearly one-quarter of transit users pointed to improving safety and security on buses. Fifteen per cent advocated for creating better connections between routes, with a similar proportion wanting to see the City of Winnipeg build light rail transit (LRT) lines. Older and less regular riders are most likely to want to see these improvements to safety, while more regular transit users are more likely to prioritize better connections between routes.

graph showing what improvements Winnipeg transit riders want to the Winnipeg Transit system

Even among those who never use transit, there is a clear preference for improvement to safety being a potential way of encouraging them to use this service now and then. Nearly one-half indicate improvements to transit safety would make them more likely to consider taking transit, including one-third who say it would make them a lot more likely to do so. While infrequent and non-users of transit seem to be more enticed by the idea of building LRTs in the city, those who rely on the service tend to be more focused on measures that will improve their day-to-day experience taking the bus, including better connections, more frequent service, better payment technology and the ability to track where buses are at any given time.

graph showing what features may make non-Winnipeg Transit riders use this service

 

Overall, only 12 per cent of city residents use Winnipeg Transit as their main method of transportation, compared to 81 per cent who rely on a private vehicle and six per cent who either walk or bike to get around. Not surprisingly, older adults and those who live in outlying suburban areas tend to be more car-dependent, with younger adults and those in the inner city more likely to turn to other transportation options. Even then, however, two-thirds of those living in inner-city neighbourhoods and three-quarters of those aged 18-34 rely on private vehicles for most of their day-to-day travel.

graph showing the main method of transportation for Winnipeg adults

While slightly more than one-half of Winnipeg adults never use transit, one-quarter use it at least once per month and a similar proportion take it infrequently – maybe a few times per year. This includes nearly one-third of those aged 18-34 who use transit at least once per month or more often.

graph showing how frequently Winnipeg residents use Transit

About the Probe Research Omnibus

For more than two decades, Probe Research has undertaken quarterly omnibus surveys of random and representative samples of Manitoba adults. These scientific telephone surveys have provided strategic and proprietary insights to hundreds of public, private and not-for-profit clients on a range of social, cultural and public policy topics. The Probe Research Omnibus Survey is the province’s largest and most trusted general population survey.

Disclosure Statement

Probe Research is a member of the Canadian Research Insights Council (CRIC) and confirms that this research fully complies with all CRIC Standards including the CRIC Public Opinion Research Standards and Disclosure Requirements. Learn more at: https://www.canadianresearchinsightscouncil.ca/standards/por/

Methodology

Probe Research surveyed a random and representative sampling of 600 adults residing in Winnipeg between November 22 and December 1, 2023.

With a sample of 600, one can say with 95 per cent certainty that the results are within ± 4.9 percentage points of what they would have been if the entire adult population of Winnipeg had been surveyed. The margin of error is higher within each of the survey’s population sub-groups.​

The sample consists of 271 Winnipeggers randomly recruited via live-agent operator; 188 Winnipeggers randomly recruited via Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and 141 members of Probe Research's online panel. All respondents completed the survey on an online platform. 

Modified random digit dialing, including both landline and wireless numbers, ensured all Winnipeg adults had an equal opportunity to participate in this Probe Research survey. 

Minor statistical weighting has been applied to this sample to ensure that age, gender and regional characteristics properly reflect known attributes of the city’s population. All data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical analysis software.​

The survey instrument was designed by Probe Research in close consultation with the Free Press.