Transit tussle may add to bus blacklist By: Tessa Vanderhart Posted: 7:00 PM CDT Friday, Aug. 2, 2019

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/08/2019 (1977 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two riders are at risk of being banned from Winnipeg Transit, after an on-bus beatdown was recently caught on video.

Currently, 27 people are barred from Transit property, for reasons ranging from multiple assaults and disturbances to bylaw infractions.

On July 27, onlookers gaped as two men exchanged punches on a No. 18 northbound bus. Later, two people carried the shirtless instigator off the vehicle. More than 100,000 people have watched the video posted to Facebook.

Warning: Video contains strong language

“Our advice is definitely to not intervene in a fight,” said Winnipeg Police Service spokesman Const. Rob Carver. “Attempting to record the incident could possibly direct their aggression toward you, so we recommend against that as well.”

Police confirmed they responded to the scene near Main Street and Mountain Avenue, but both men involved were gone when they arrived, and no charges have been laid.

However, if they are located by police or a Transit inspector, the pair could join the list of those not welcome on Transit buses.

For 15 years, such bans have been used to keep repeat offenders off Transit property, said manager of operations Randy Tonnellier.

If someone who’s banned does try to get on a bus or enter a shelter, police can be called to remove them under Manitoba’s Petty Trespass Act.

“We’re always looking at different ways to enhance safety for our passengers and our employees,” he said. “This is just one of many tools that are available to us to help us enhance safety on Transit.”

Eleven of those currently banned are accused of assault; other reasons include disturbances, damage to a bus or regular fare evasion.

Four people are banned for Transit code of conduct violations — which could include serious offences such as assault but also crossing the safety line, sticking an arm out the window, spilling a drink, littering, smoking or drinking on the bus.

The bans usually last a year, Tonnellier said. About 25 people are banned in any given year.

Before being banned, people may be issued a bylaw infraction ticket for breaching the code of conduct. So far this year, 95 people have been ticketed; 175 tickets were issued last year.

Inspectors most often notice infractions and issue bans, but drivers sometimes do as well, Tonnellier said.

Photos and descriptions are circulated in Transit workplaces and email bulletins.

“We make sure that we get it out to all of our operators so we know who is being banned," he said. “We’ve heard from the Winnipeg police it’s helpful for them in addressing issues.

“To the best of my knowledge, I don’t know that we’ve ever had anyone approach us and want to be un-banned, but if that was something that would happen, we would look at it."

Transit safety remains a big concern, said Derek Koop, president of Functional Transit Winnipeg. He said he hears from riders tensions are highest during rush hour and when buses are crowded and delayed.

“It’s one of the many reasons we push for frequency of bus service — because it helps alleviate those distress times,” Koop said.

tvanderhart@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @tessavanderhart