The Assiniboia express, a non-stop bus service for transit passengers between downtown and St. Charles, will be continued until the end of the year, then the situation will be reviewed.

Officials of Greater Winnipeg Transit Commission said Friday the number of passengers using the service is increasing each day. About a week ago a high of 456 passengers in one day was noted.

With the service, it takes 12 minutes less time to get downtown than with the regular bus. It operates locally from St. Charles St. in Assiniboia to Berry St., and then express downtown, making stops only at transfer points to let passengers off. Final stop is at Garry St.

The average per trip daily is 13.4 passengers. On one occasion not a single passenger was aboard. On another occasion the bus carried 60 passengers.

Heaviest trips are between 7.30 and 8.30 a.m. The total route is 8.7 miles for a one-way trip, 3.5 miles of it by express. Thirty-four one-way trips, both inbound and outbound operate only during the rush hours of 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 3.40 p.m. to 6 p.m.