The Greater Winnipeg Transit Commission says it would like to start on the first stage of subway construction here in five years, completing the stage in another five.

Before the commission could act, however, it would have to gain the approval of the 12 municipalities which now are members of the transit commission; and there would have to be agreement on a division of the costs.

Such agreement would be most difficult, if not impossible, to get in present circumstances. It would probably have to wait until Greater Winnipeg had a metropolitan government.

It is suggested that the cost of subway construction would be divided among the metro municipalities, with the provincial government contributing a grant as it already does for metropolitan highways. If the subway were a winter work project, it might also receive federal assistance.

But even if the transit commission must wait for metro government, it won't entirely neglect the subway situation. It plans further interim engineering and cost-benefit studies.