Winnipeg Transit is losing millions of riders a year, and some critics are calling for reduced bus fares to reverse what they see as an alarming trend.

Last year, the number of city bus rides dropped to 45 million from 48 million in 1992 and a seven-year high of 58 million in 1986.

That year, the cash price of an adult fare was 85 cents and a monthly adult bus pass cost $28.

With this month's increase, adult fares are $1.35, while passes cost $48.

West Kildonan resident Anna Henry says the fact that rates have gone up three times in the last 12 months is "pretty outrageous."

She's exploring alternatives to bus travel, such as car pooling.

"It might wind up a little cheaper doing that," she said after purchasing a bus pass yesterday.

The social action group Choices and at least one city councillor feel transit use would rise if bus fares were lowered.

Choices spokesman Jeff Lowe called on the city to slash adult cash fares to $1 and to reduce student and senior rates accordingly.

He predicted the financial losses from fare reductions would be offset by increased usage.

"Not only are returns (from higher fares) diminishing, but negative returns have set in," Lowe told the city's works and operations committee yesterday.

Coun. Glen Murray (Fort Rouge) said he'd like to see lower fares introduced on a trial basis, but he would not say where they should be pegged.

Nick Iafolla, superintendent of customer services with Winnipeg Transit, said declining bus use is a national phenomenon, and it's "pretty simplistic" to blame the downturn in Winnipeg on fares.

He said Winnipeg bus rates are among the lowest in the country for cities its size or larger.

Iafolla said high unemployment and a declining teenage population are two of the main reasons for the decline in bus riders. Budget restrictions have also forced reductions in some services, he said.

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