Transit use in Winnipeg last year fell by almost 2.5 million riders, or four per cent, with the biggest drop following the May increase in fares, civic works and operations committee was told yesterday.
But a report by R. L. Borland, director of transit, shows that passenger revenue over the 12-month period jumped to $20,206,272 from $15,949,873, an increase of 26.7 per cent.
The report, which was not discussed by the seven-member committee, but received as information, shows that transit ridership in 1981 fell to 59,596,657 from a little more than 62 million the year before.
Ridership dropped by 1.3 per cent between January and April, then plunged by 9.2 per cent in May when fares increased by 50 per cent to 60 cents for adults. Between May and December, ridership was down by 5.4 per cent.
The statistical report says monthly pass sales increased "considerably" after the fare increase with revenue from pass sales pegged at about $7.5 million, or an increase of 38 per cent over the year.
Also, ridership on the free downtown DASH service increased by 23 per cent last year. The increase was largest after fares went up. About 608,000 people rode the service, compared with 495,859 in 1980.
The New Democratic Party government froze passenger fares at the 1981 levels in February. The city's current budget estimates had proposed adult bus fares be increased by 10 cents, along with increases in other fares.