$2 bus fare, library hours and feral cats on minds of mayoral hopefuls

Kevin Klein is promising to let seniors take the bus for $2 if he wins the mayoral race.

On Wednesday, Klein pledged to reduce the regular senior bus fare to make life more affordable. Winnipeg Transit’s current cash fare for seniors is $2.95.

“I think the $2 bus pass allows seniors, especially (those) that are on fixed incomes, (to get) a bit of a break using our transit system,” he said.

That fare is important, as travel expenses can lead seniors to stay home more often, he said.

Klein promised to cover any lost revenue by shifting funding and “tightening how the city spends,” not by raising taxes and fees.

“There are revenues that can shift away from other projects being done right now that are of less importance,” he said.

Klein declined to name any specific projects that could be scaled back to free up money, though he noted he would a seek more provincial funding for transit operations.

The price per ride for seniors e-cash fares (which are sold in $5 to $200 denominations) and paper tickets (which are sold in sheets of five or 10) would not change, Klein said. Those are currently at $1.55 per ride for seniors, the city’s website says.

Klein was originally expected to announce the pledge at an Earl Grey Community Centre seniors tea time Wednesday. However, a Free Press reporter was told the event was cancelled after arriving to attend it.

Klein apologized for the confusion, stating the community club cancelled the activity.

“People’s time is valuable,” he said.

Incumbent candidate Scott Gillingham promised to expand hours at some library branches.

A pilot project would allow the new Mike O’Shaughnessy Library, which will open in the Garden City Shopping Centre in 2027, to match the mall’s regular operating hours.

“Sometimes the hours when families really need these library services don’t line up with the hours that the library is open. We want to change that,” said Gillingham.

The mall opens from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays.

This “homework libraries” program would give students a quiet place to study near home for extended hours, with 27 per cent more fall and winter service hours than a typical neighbourhood library branch, he said.

“It’s exactly the kind of welcoming environment where we want young people spending time,” said Gillingham.

If the pilot project proves a success, extra hours would be added to at least four additional neighbourhood library branches, he said.

“We’ll look at demand, at operating cost, at staffing, at security and transit access to determine where the program makes the most sense to expand,” said Gillingham.

The length of the pilot project has not been determined. Gillingham expects it to cost “well under $1 million.”

Coun. Vivian Santos (Point Douglas) endorsed Gillingham’s pledge and his bid for re-election, stating his willingness to fund spray pads and more library hours are part of a “progressive” vision she supports.

Gillingham credited Coun. Devi Sharma (Old Kildonan) for raising the idea for “homework libraries” and said he would like Sharma and Santos to be re-elected.

“It’s ultimately up to the people, but I think we have a good track record of working together,” he said.

Meanwhile, mayoral candidate Don Woodstock promised to “overhaul” Winnipeg animal services and reduce the city’s feral cat population.

“This is a very cold city. For … cats to be living in (outdoors), it’s a crisis for an animal lover,” he said.

His plan aims to ramp up city-funded spay and neuter operations, with a focus on cats.

Veterinary clinics would be asked to reserve some surgical slots for unowned community (feral) cats and pet cats from low-income families, while a recruitment task force would aim to attract 20 new veterinarians and 40 new veterinary technicians to Winnipeg to boost capacity.

Some animal rescue groups could apply for up to $25,000 each in annual grants, while the city would provide a $100,000 annual grant to Craig Street Cats to support its trap-neuter-return-manage operation and public education.

Woodstock would spend $1 million to upgrade the main Animal Services facility at 1057 Logan Ave. and add two $1-million, 6,000-square-foot satellite facilities in Transcona and South Winnipeg.

He plans to sell naming rights for the buildings, host an annual fundraising telethon and seek provincial and federal funding to help pay for the proposal.

Election Day is Oct. 28.

joyanne.pursaga@winnipegfreepress.com

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