WINNIPEG, MB – For the past several months, The University of Winnipeg and Winnipeg Transit have been working together and with the community to find a new location for the Spence Terminal to accommodate bus service to the Spence neighbourhood and the western campus of UWinnipeg. Spence Terminal ceased operations in the Fall of 2012 due to the construction of UWinnipeg’s new UNITED Health & RecPlex.
Following months of consultations and analysis, two options were deemed viable. One option proposed a route on Furby Street/Furby Place/Langside Street. Another option proposed a Young Street/new roadway/Langside Street loop. Winnipeg Transit had been operating out of a temporary terminal in front of the Winnipeg Art Gallery until mid-March. This location did not meet Winnipeg Transit’s operational or passenger needs.
In mid-March, the temporary terminal was moved to a new location on Sherbrook Street between Broadway Avenue and Portage Avenue. The terminal location on Sherbrook not only meets the need to provide transit service to the university’s west campus, but also adds additional service for residents, employees and visitors of the West Broadway neighbourhood. While Winnipeg Transit has encountered some operational challenges – including some minor added travel time and some congestion issues – the City’s transit service has indicated that it is prepared to pilot an operational assessment at the temporary terminal on Sherbrook for at least one full year. This will allow for time to better assess if this terminal can become a permanent solution.
Pending the assessment and outcome of the pilot using a terminal on Sherbrook, Winnipeg Transit and the university may need to revisit the bus loop options that have been considered so far in a year’s time.
The University of Winnipeg and Winnipeg Transit thank everyone who has participated in finding a solution that best meets various stakeholder interests.
As a result of this most recent development, the community meeting that had been scheduled to take place on Wednesday, April 17th at 7:00 pm at the Magnus Eliason Recreation Centre at 430 Langside Street is cancelled.
MEDIA CONTACT
Diane Poulin, Communications Officer, The University of Winnipeg
P: 204.988.7135, E: d.poulin@uwinnipeg.ca
