A Winnipeg City Councilor is calling for the dismantling of two bus shelters on Regent Avenue for fears of being misused – and one Homeless Advocate supports the proposal.
count. Sean Nyson, who represents Transconco, said some residents were disappointed with the misuse of two transit shelters along Regent right in front of Kildonan Place Mall and thought they should be removed. He said some of the shelters are occupied by people who are homeless and addicted.
“The challenge we still have is that there is a significant problem with the homeless in Winnipeg,” Nason said.
He said people leave shelters in the city center and then head to Regent.
“There have been a lot of negative interactions trying to use transit, regional businesses.”
Nason said he was working with organizations to try to find a long-term solution. However, he said there was talk of removing the shelters, leaving only the roof.
“See how to remove the glass walls, remove the benches and remove the electric heaters that are there to keep the glass frost-free. It’s not warm in the winter. (That’s it) to keep the glass frost-free.”
Marion Willis, CEO of St. Boniface Street Links said it supported this particular proposal, noting that there was a children’s store nearby and that it had become a safety issue for residents who shop and visit the area.
“Behavior and some of the challenges that arise in this transit shelter have created a public health and public safety problem for people, especially families with children,” Willis said.
She said the move was a last resort, but noted that a longer-term solution was needed to help these people get off the streets.
“These transit shelters are for the use of all citizens and I will not defend your right to be here, but I will defend your right to receive income and housing support.”
This is an opinion shared by Nasson.
“We are moving to housing. The apartment takes a long time. We have short-term accommodation, “Nason said.
Sandra Hagenaars, the mall’s general manager, spoke at a meeting to renovate infrastructure and public works on Thursday in support of the proposal, noting that she receives emails all the time about shelters.
“People are worried,” she said. “There are used needles, there are people who try to enter stores and insist on using toilets, they insist on using equipment. They become aggressive, abusive.”
She said that retail is severely affected by COVID-19 and noted that this is just another barrier for workers who are just trying to do their job.
James Van Gerwen, executive vice president of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1505, also spoke at the meeting, saying he did not want to see transit shelters removed as it could lead to negative experiences for riders and stop people from using transit.
However, he said that if a decision is made to dismantle the shelters, he hopes it will be temporary.
“Our transit system relies on these shelters, and if we want to bring people back, we can’t make it difficult by forcing them to stand out in the rain or in harsh weather. We need to take care of the problem at source, “Van Gerwen said.
The Commission for Infrastructure Renovation and Public Works voted in favor of dismantling the three-to-one bus shelters.
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