Weekly passes and nondirectional transfers are part of a new Winnipeg Transit fare structure which will go into effect tomorrow.

Jarvis Kohut, Winnipeg Transit's manager of marketing and specialized services, said the changes, approved by city council earlier this year, are designed to reverse the bus system's declining ridership.

Two types of weekly passes will be available for adults. A pass good for Monday to Friday will cost $11.70 for adults and a seven day pass, called SuperPass, good all seven days a week, will cost $13.

A monthly pass will still be available, for $48.

Kohut said the weekly passes would benefit people who did not have $48 in their pockets at the end of each month. He said it would also be of value for people who did not need a pass every week of the year.

The nondirectional transfer, to be called Power Hour, will allow passengers to get off and back on the bus — regardless of direction — within a one-hour period.

Kohut said the pass was designed to encourage short trips such as lunch-hour trips.

Adult cash fare will remain $1.35 per ride, but the cost of 10 tickets will decline to $13 from $13.50 — effectively giving ticket users a five cent per ride discount.

Reduced-fare rides will go up to $.80 from $.75, but the cost of 10 tickets will remain at $7.50.

Reduced monthly fares will cost $28 and a reduced Superpass will cost $7.50. The five-day pass will not be available at the reduced rate.

Kohut said Winnipeg will be the only city in Canada with five types of passes.

"They are watching what we are doing," he said.

Kohut said the new system was designed to encourage frequent ridership.