From today's Free Press:

City hall is planning to offer a steep discount to the Winnipeg Football Club for the fees charged for its charter bus service to events at the Investors Group Field stadium.

The discounted offer came after six months of negotiations when Blue Bombers team officials told the city they were not prepared to pay the full charter transit fees, which sources said cost the team $1.3 million in 2013.

Information provided to councillors at a private seminar earlier this week outlined the city’s offer to the Blue Bombers, which includes:

A discount of 42.3 per cent off of Winnipeg Transit’s charter rate in 2014, rising to 44.7 per cent in 2015.

The discount will cost the city $750,000 for 2014; and $950,000 in 2015.

The discount will only be offered if the province agrees to cover 50 per cent of the discount.

Wade Miller, football team president and CEO, said he spent the past six months negotiating the deal with city hall, adding the new rate is good for the team, its fans and the city.

Miller said he understood the deal will be presented to council at Wednesday meeting.

“We can’t sustain paying $1.1 million to $1.3 million (for transit services) every year,” Miller said. “So we negotiated an agreement with the City of Winnipeg.”

Im okay with personal responsibility as far as paying your own transportation costs.  But the question is going to be how much the charging impacts fans.  Will just as many (or more) fans take Transit or the Park & Rides or will a significant number say forget it, we will try and find our own parking?  This isnt an issue that only affects Bombers fans.  Add in the large construction on Pembina HWY and if people choose to drive, they are looking at a big problem.

 

Its fine if fans are willing to pay.  But the Bombers and Transit had a deal that resulted in free transport for fans, increased ridership for Transit etc.  And Sammy stuck a knife in it.  Bombers are STILL going to be spending a considerable amount on transport but its a less desirable scenario for fans.  Either way the Bombers were going to pay.  All Sammy did was screw fans, area residents, local drivers etc.

Is the park and ride $5 per vehicle or per person?  I would assume per vehicle which is quite reasonable, however $5 per person is not excessive either. 

 

The park and rides do seem like they were the best option.

 

How would they know who came out of which vehicle?  It's per person.

didn't use park and ride last year, used get dropped off and picked up after

 

I have no issue with this though, it should make no difference to most people any ways.

 

If people have issues paying to take a bus, then we got bigger problems here.

 

Is the park and ride $5 per vehicle or per person?  I would assume per vehicle which is quite reasonable, however $5 per person is not excessive either. 

 

The park and rides do seem like they were the best option.

 

How would they know who came out of which vehicle?  It's per person.

 

... You take $5 from each car as they enter the park n ride?  Unless they're giving everyone wristbands....

 

 

Is the park and ride $5 per vehicle or per person?  I would assume per vehicle which is quite reasonable, however $5 per person is not excessive either. 

 

The park and rides do seem like they were the best option.

 

How would they know who came out of which vehicle?  It's per person.

 

... You take $5 from each car as they enter the park n ride?  Unless they're giving everyone wristbands....

 

 

What if I want to do a walk and ride? Will they deny me because I didn't bring a car?

 

(just playing devil's advocate)

I would presume its $5 per person paid at the location so it doesnt matter if its car, truck, bike, scooter, or feet.

 

Also I can appreciate this idea that people should just pay so get over it.  But you have to look at the bigger picture.  This isnt just about transporting Bombers fans from Point A to Point B.  If there were no traffic implications and bussing to IGF was a leisurely event, I would say ofcourse, pay or dont take the bus.  But there are bigger issues. 

 

If the Bombers were going to pay X amount under the deal offered to them by the city and then scrapped by Katz, and are paying the same (if not more) under this new, less desirable plan, then the decision by Katz is a net negative to not only Bombers fans but other residents, drivers and Transit.

Hey, I asked the question because it can go either way.  Ever go to a camping event etc where it's $x per vehicle?  It will also encourage carpooling *shrug*  But you're right, you could probably just walk and catch the bus as well, so I suppose it would be per person.

Not sure if they intent to use "stamps" or wristbands or something.  It probably isnt neccesary anyway.  The Bombers are footing the bill for transit after the game so they probably wont care who gets on what busses following the game.  If you didnt ride the Park & Ride to the game but for some reason want to be let off at Club Regent, do they really care?

 

 

Is the park and ride $5 per vehicle or per person?  I would assume per vehicle which is quite reasonable, however $5 per person is not excessive either. 

 

The park and rides do seem like they were the best option.

 

How would they know who came out of which vehicle?  It's per person.

 

... You take $5 from each car as they enter the park n ride?  Unless they're giving everyone wristbands....

 

 

They aren't charging people to park their cars, they are charging people to ride the bus.  Anyone can park there for free if they are going to the mall, casino or wherever it is.

Not sure if they intent to use "stamps" or wristbands or something.  It probably isnt neccesary anyway.  The Bombers are footing the bill for transit after the game so they probably wont care who gets on what busses following the game.  If you didnt ride the Park & Ride to the game but for some reason want to be let off at Club Regent, do they really care?

 

One thing I'd worry about is that people won't use the park and ride on the way to the game, they will try to use regular Transit routes which are cheaper or get dropped off. There could be much more demand post-game, for the free ride.

 

 

 

Is the park and ride $5 per vehicle or per person?  I would assume per vehicle which is quite reasonable, however $5 per person is not excessive either. 

 

The park and rides do seem like they were the best option.

 

How would they know who came out of which vehicle?  It's per person.

 

... You take $5 from each car as they enter the park n ride?  Unless they're giving everyone wristbands....

 

 

What if I want to do a walk and ride? Will they deny me because I didn't bring a car?

 

(just playing devil's advocate)

 

How 'bout just before you board?

It's $5 per person and it covers going to and from IGF. They will be selling bus cards at TicketMaster for the entire season for $40.

 

The Bombers website has been updated since Rich's post to add that the Running Back shuttles will still be available.

 

Bigger question --- Now that these are private Park & Ride shuttle busses, IS BEER ALLOWED?  Hmmm.

Bigger question --- Now that these are private Park & Ride shuttle busses, IS BEER ALLOWED? Hmmm.

Just pour a half bottle of rum in your slurpee and you're set

Party busses in Winnipeg are not allowed booze. Adults aren't capable of making their own decisions I guess.

Park n ride to sit in a cramped, non air conditioned bus AND pay for this sweet hookup? Thanks but no thanks.. Had my fill of that bull plop last season... Perimeter and then close as possible and walk or shuttle for this guy..

 

Cramped, sure. If you're 300+ lbs maybe. 

 

$40 a year...enjoy spending that on gas by the 2nd home game.

 

Last 2/3 of the year the P&R was run perfectly, IMO, so same as usual for this guy. 

Park n ride to sit in a cramped, non air conditioned bus AND pay for this sweet hookup? Thanks but no thanks.. Had my fill of that bull plop last season... Perimeter and then close as possible and walk or shuttle for this guy..

Cramped, sure. If you're 300+ lbs maybe.

$40 a year...enjoy spending that on gas by the 2nd home game.

Last 2/3 of the year the P&R was run perfectly, IMO, so same as usual for this guy.

260 and 6'8 so yea cramped.. Ever tried to walk a few blocks with a numb ass and leg? Not fun my friend..

260 and 6'8 so yea cramped.. Ever tried to walk a few blocks with a numb ass and leg? 

 

 

So, you're saying it's OK to sometimes call you numb ass? 

After practice I was going to buy my park & ride pass however they told me that they don't have them ready yet, and that the exhibition game is free.

Passes will be available starting on Monday.

I worry that people might become fed up with this new arrangement not so much for the price having to be paid for the transportation, but moreso in the manner the money is collected.  For those who only use park n'ride occasionally and forego the $40 yearly pass, choosing instead to pay the $2.55 fee, how long will this hold up the buses at each stop along every park n' ride?  50 or so people (times 150 or however many school buses are utilized on gameday) scrounging around in their pockets for change and giving it to the bus driver which I'm sure will add several more minutes to an already long commute.  

 

And will they retrofit each school buses with some sort of coin collection box?  Something that can be secured to the interior of the bus in such a manner that it cannot be easily stolen, but at the same time may be easily removed when the buses are used for primary purposes - transporting students?

 

If it turns out to be as slow and cumbersome as I suspect, people may forego the bus in favour of their vehicles adding more congestion and wear and tear on the roads (ironically, in the end this may cost the city more taxpayer dollars than the negated transportation subsidy) exacerbating what is already a less than ideal commute.  I wonder if many ticket buyers choose to stay at home and watch the game rather than deal with a worsening traffic situation. 

There's some bad construction going on near IGF. Started this week. I'm sure it won't end by Monday. Prepare to add at least 15 minutes to your commute to the stadium.

There's some bad construction going on near IGF. Started this week. I'm sure it won't end by Monday. Prepare to add at least 15 minutes to your commute to the stadium.

As mentioned it's awful. Major reconstruction both directions on Pembina hwy.

To the previous poster, isn't the $2.55 for regular transit use? Park and rides are direct shuttles correct? Ie you'd pay once at the park and ride location and that would be it. I would guess the bombers would have people on site taking money. It does raise the question of safety for a person standing out in a parking lot with a lot of cash on them though.

260 and 6'8 so yea cramped.. Ever tried to walk a few blocks with a numb ass and leg?

 

So, you're saying it's OK to sometimes call you numb ass? 

Did you just pinch my ass? .

But by all means, feel free to name me thusly..

 

Park n ride to sit in a cramped, non air conditioned bus AND pay for this sweet hookup? Thanks but no thanks.. Had my fill of that bull plop last season... Perimeter and then close as possible and walk or shuttle for this guy..

 

Cramped, sure. If you're 300+ lbs maybe. 

 

$40 a year...enjoy spending that on gas by the 2nd home game.

 

Last 2/3 of the year the P&R was run perfectly, IMO, so same as usual for this guy. 

 

 

Where do you buy gas?  

 

There's some bad construction going on near IGF. Started this week. I'm sure it won't end by Monday. Prepare to add at least 15 minutes to your commute to the stadium.

As mentioned it's awful. Major reconstruction both directions on Pembina hwy.

To the previous poster, isn't the $2.55 for regular transit use? Park and rides are direct shuttles correct? Ie you'd pay once at the park and ride location and that would be it. I would guess the bombers would have people on site taking money. It does raise the question of safety for a person standing out in a parking lot with a lot of cash on them though.

 

 

I assume they'll load one bus at a time and have a person outside the bus with a vest similar to the people who collect parking money in lots that charge for event parking.  There should be a whole lot of people around so safety shouldn't be too big of an issue.