01 Introduction

02 Before The Bus (1882-1918)

The streetcar dominates the first four decades of public transit in Winnipeg Beginning in 1882, the horses of the Winnipeg Street Railway Company pulled wooden cars with iron wheels along company railway tracks laid in the city's streets.

North-West Angle Stages (19 July 1877 (one day))
Enterprise folded when passengers proved too few and street mud too deep.

Winnipeg Street Railway Company (20 October 1882 - 11 May 1894)
Incorporated 27 May 1882 (Man.) to operate in Winnipeg and the parishes of St. Boniface East and West, St. Johns, St. James, and Kildonan. Company sold to the WESR 11 May 1894. (Manitoba Historical Society photo)

Winnipeg Electric Street Railway Company (27 July 1892 - 25 July 1904)
Incorporated 20 April 1892 (Man.) to build and operate an electric railway in Winnipeg, St. Boniface, R.M. of Assiniboia, and parishes of St. Boniface, St. John, St. James, and Kildonan. Name changed to WER 1904.

Winnipeg Electric Railway Company (25 July 1904 - 1918)
Charter expanded to include the Municipality of St. Vital. Acquired controlling interest in the Winnipeg, Selkirk and Lake Winnipeg interurban 1906. Name changed to WECo 1924. (Photo: Winnipeg Tribune Archives). [tickets]

Winnipeg Jitney Association (circa April 1915 - ?)
The "jitney craze" in Winnipeg played out in similar fashion to other Canadian cities. Jitneys first appeared in February 1915 and by April there were over 200 in service. The May 1915 figure was thought to be about 480, and June 1915 was 572. On September 14, 1915, the official count was 635. Various associations came and went quickly. CR&MW made note of the following:

West Kildonan residents organized a jitney service to Kildonan Park circa April 1917. Winnipeg City council finally banned jitneys 19 April 1918. (CR&MW 1915-1918).

03 Home-Made buses (1918-1936)

Winnipeg Electric Railway Company (1918 - 05 April 1924)
Charter expanded to include the Municipality of St. Vital. Acquired controlling interest in the Winnipeg, Selkirk and Lake Winnipeg interurban 1906. Name changed to WECo 1924. (Photo: Winnipeg Tribune Archives). [tickets]

1918

Fleet Series Number: 101-107 odd Qty.: 4 Manufacturer/Made By: Studebaker Model: WECo Bodies Seats: 16

1919

Winnipeg Electric Ry Co bus on Westminster Route (Winnipeg Tribune photo archives) Number 109, 1 Ruggles.

1920

Numbers 111, and 113 (Qty.: 2) Sterling.

1921

1922

1923

1924

Numbers 115-121 odd. (Qty: 4). General Motors (this seems highly unlikely). model: K-20. 24 seats.

04 Winnipeg Electric Company (1924-1953)

Winnipeg Electric Company (05 April 1924 - 31 January 1953)
Operated bus service to Transcona 1928-1941. Absorbed SRT operations in St. James, Tuxedo, Charleswood and Assiniboia in 1940. An offer to purchase WECo was made by the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board 28 October 1952 which was accepted (date?). Transit system divided from hydro-electric interests in 1953, as the GWTCo. (Manitoba Hydro website, Photos: CWTS archives, University of Manitoba archives, Dennis Cavanagh) [tickets]

1925

Numbers unknown. (Qty: 7). REO, with WECo bodies. 21 seats. WECo bodies recycled from 1918 units.

Numbers unknown. (Qty: 3). Dodge-Graham, with WECo Bodies. 16 seats. WECo bodies recycled from 1918 units.

1926

Numbers unknown. (Qty: 3). REO, 21 seats.

Number unknown. (Qty: 1). Studebaker.

1927

Numbers 301-319 odd. (There's a mistake here). (Qty: 5). Mack. Model AB. 25 seats. Serial numbers 593924-32.

Numbers unknown. (Qty: 3). Studebaker. 21 seats.

Numbers unknown. (Qty: 3). REO. 21 seats.

1928

Numbers unknown. (Qty: 7). GMC/WECo. 23 seats.

Numbers 321-329 odd. (Qty: 5). Mack. Model AB. 25 seats Serial numbers 594203-7.

Numbers 101-109 odd. (Qty: 5). Twin Coach. Model 40. 40 seats. possibly Cummings bodies.

1929

Number unknown. (Qty: 1). REO/Fitz John. 25 seats. Serial number: GB 1308.

Number 331. (Qty: 1). Mack. Model BK. 33 seats.

1930

Numbers 333, 335. (Qty: 2). Mack. Model AB. 29 seats. Acquired used (1926 models).

1931

1932

1933

1934

Numbers unknown. (Qty: 3). White. 21 seats. Acquired used.

1935

Numbers 451-457 odd. (Qty: 4). Ford/Lawrie. Model CL-BB. 21 seats. WECo design / 1 chassis 1934.

1936

Numbers 459, 461. (Qty: 2). Ford/Lawrie. Model CL-BB. 21 seats. WECo design.

Numbers 501, 503. (Qty: 2). Dodge/Lawrie. 21 seats. WECo design / 1 chassis 1934.

Numbers 525, 527. (Qty: 2). Chevrolet/Lawrie. 21 seats. WECo design / 1 chassis 1934.

Numbers 425, 427. (Qty: 2). International/Lawrie. 21 seats.

04 Small Gas Buses

Numbers 111-119 odd. (Qty: 5). Twin Coach Model 23RS. 25 seats. 111 restored by MTHA.

Numbers 337-347 odd. (Qty: 5). Mack. Model CW. 31 seats. Serial numbers 1200, 1507-11, or serials 6CW3S 1507-12 [MBS].

1937

Numbers 121-129 odd. (Qty: 5). Twin Coach Model 23R. 23 seats. Serial numbers 95909-13.

Numbers 349-353 odd. (Qty: 3). Mack. Model CW. 31 seats. Serial numbers 6CW3S 1791-3.

Numbers 375-379 odd *. * photo suggests #355-359 odd. (Qty: 3). Mack. Model CQ. 31 seats. Serial numbers 6CQ3S 1673-5.

Numbers 175, 177. (Qty: 2). Yellow Coach. Model 739. 25 seats.

Number 463. (Qty: 1). Ford. Model: Transit 70. 25 seats. Serial number 3664557.

1938

Number 131-141. (Qty: 6). Twin Coach. Model 23R. 23 seats. Serial numbers 96043-8.

1939

Numbers 120-138 even. (Qty: 10). Twin Coach. Model 23R. 23 seats. Serial numbers 96089-98.

Numbers 140, 142-146. (Qty: 6). Twin Coach. Model 23R. 23 seats. Serial numbers 96207-12. Some stretched to 31 passengers in early 1950s.

Numbers unknown. (Qty 6). Yellow Coach (GM). Model: TG2401. 24 seats. Serial numbers 0020-0025. Listed in Ohio Museum of Transportation production list. Not on Winnipeg's list.

Number 273. (Qty: 1). Unidentified type in service in 1939. Make, model and age unidentified.

1940

Numbers 465-483 odd. (Qty: 9). Ford. Model: Transit 09-B. 27 seats.

Numbers 485-497 odd. (Qty: 7). Ford. Model: Transit 19-B. 27 seats.

1941

Numbers 200-229. (Qty: 30). Twin Coach. Model 30 GS. 31 seats. Serial numbers 108523-32/ ..766-75/ ..921-30. 214 restored by MTHA.

Numbers 531-539. (Qty: 5). Ford. Model: Transit 19-B. 27 seats.

1942

Numbers 230-234. (Qty: 5). Twin Coach. Model 30 GS. 31 model. Serial numbers 109050-4.

Numbers 541-559 odd. (Qty: 10). Ford. Model: Transit 29-B. 27 seats.

1943

Numbers 235-240. (Qty: 6). Twin Coach. Model 30 GS. 31 seats. Serial numbers 109175-79 +?.

1944

Numbers 150-159. (Qty: 10). GM. Model: TG3608. 36 seats. Serial numbers 191-200. Sold to Moose Jaw.

1945

1946

Numbers 801-811 odd. (Qty: 6). Twin Coach. Model: 38S. 38 seats. Serial numbers 53-58.

Numbers 561-569 odd. (Qty: 5). Ford. Model: Transit 69-B. 25 seats. 565 restored by MTHA.

Numbers 701-705 odd. (Qty: 3). CCF-Brill. Model C36. 36 seats. Serial numbers 2326-8. Converted to AEC diesel and torque converter transmission.
Year
Fleet Series Number
Qty.
Manufacturer/Made By
Model/Trucks
Seats
Length
Width
Out of Service Date Serial Number Observations
1947
707-719 odd
7
CCF-Brill
C36
36
2329-35 converted to AEC diesel and torque converter transmission
1947
361-379 odd
10
Twin Coach
34S
34
447B-456BSold to Diamond Bus Lines (Edmonton)
1947
851-869 odd
10
Twin Coach
41S
41
236-237, 248-55Sold to Edmonton Transit
1947
601-607 odd
4
CCF-Brill
IC-41
41
1030-3 Intercity. Sold to Beaver Bus Lines 1948.
1947
621, 623
2
Motor Coach Industries
Courier 100-A
33
83-4 Intercity. Sold to Beaver Bus Lines 1948.
1948
721-729 odd
5
CCF-Brill
C36TC
36
2737-41721 converted to propane, then all converted to AEC diesel
1948
813-831 odd
10
Twin Coach
38S
38
906C-915CSold to Edmonton Transit
1952
901-923 odd
12
Twin Coach
FL2-40
40
102"
1-12Converted to AEC diesel
1952
733
1
Can-Car
CD44ATC
44
15000Demo on lease, bought in 1953

WECo 111 restored by MTHA (Dennis Cavanagh 2001) WECo Ford 565 restored by MTHA (Dennis Cavanagh 2001) WECo 212 Doing Overload for Moores Taxi to West Hawk Lake 1941 (A. Downham photo, CWTS collection) WECo 1935 International Model C bus (Winnipeg Transit Collection) WECo 1926 Mack AB 25 passenger bus (Winnipeg Transit Collection) WECo 1941 Twin 30 GS bus (Winnipeg Transit Collection)

05 Greater Winnipeg Transit Commission (1953-1960)

Greater Winnipeg Transit Company (01 February 1953 - 29 May 1953)
Incorporated 06 January 1953 as a subsidiary of WECo, which was controlled by the Manitoba Hydro-Electric Board, a provincial government agency established by legislation in 1949 and activated 18 May 1951 (Manitoba Hydro website). Sold to the GWT Comm. 1953.

Winnipeg CanCar 532 (Winnipeg Transit photo) Greater Winnipeg Transit Commission (30 May 1953 - 31 December 1960)
Multi-municipality enterprise incorporated 08 April 1953. Purchase of predecessor's assets completed 11 November 1953. Reorganized as the Transit Department of the M Corp of G.W. 1961. (photos: Winnipeg Transit, Peter Cox).
Year
Fleet Series Number
Qty.
Manufacturer/Made By
Model
Seats
Length
Width
Out of Service Date Serial Number Observations
1953
735-753 odd
10
Can-Car
CD44ATC
44
15135-44
1953
601-619 odd
10
Mack
C47DT
47
19671041-50
1954
401-449 odd
25
Flxible-Twin Coach
FT2D-40
50
197250452-76
1955
450-499
50
Flxible-Twin Coach
FT2D-40
50
197250602-51
1955
500-524
25
Can-Car
CD52TC
52
17001-25 first order for type
1955
755-779
25
Can-Car
CD44ATC
44
197815324-48
1955
731
1
Can-Car
CD36ATC
36
12054Ex. Northern Bus Lines #25 (1953 model)
1956
100-111
12
GM
TDH4512
44
19781797-1806, 1974-5 Ser. # 1974-5 to Excel Coach Lines Kenora
1958
525-549
25
Can-Car
CD52TC
52
197817420-17444 "Pink Ladies" i.e. - interior & seats were pink
1960
150-159
10
GM
TDH5301
53
40'
102"
1569-78Seven refurb. & renum. 1988: 150>274, 151>275, 152>269, 153>279, 156>270, 157>281, 158>271
1960
550-574
25
Can-Car
TD51
51
40'
102"
1978011-35 "Boxcars."

Greater Winnipeg Transit Commission 343 (Peter Cox) Greater Winnipeg Transit Commission 357 (Peter Cox) Winnipeg 1944 GM TG3609 gas bus (Peter Cox photo, Winnipeg Transit collection) Winnipeg 1956 GM TDH-4512 bus 104 (Winnipeg Transit) Winnipeg 1956 GM TDH-4512 bus 108 (Winnipeg Transit) Former Winnipeg GM TDH-4512 bus 105 in Red Lake junkyard (Ross Smith) Winnipeg GWTC489 Ford (William A. Luke)

06 Metro Transit (1961-1971)

Metropolitan Corporation of Greater Winnipeg (01 January 1961 - 31 December 1971)
Service to Transcona resumed 1963. Service to East St. Paul withdrawn in 1969. Metro municipalities amalgamated as the City of Winnipeg 1972. System also referred to as Metro Transit (CC66). Summer-only service to Bird's Hill Park outside the city begun 21 May 1971. (Photos: CWTS archives and Winnipeg Tribune archives)
Year
Fleet Series Number
Qty.
Manufacturer/Made By
Model
Seats
Length
Width
Out of Service Date Serial Number Observations
1962
160-172
13
GMC
TDH5301
53
40'
102"
C052-C064first Cdn 5303s for Wpg. Two refurb. & renum. 1988: 161>272, 171>282
1962
112-131
20
GM
TDH4517
45
35'
96"
C039-C058 5 units rebuilt & renumbered 762-766
1963
173-186
14
GMC
TDH5303
53
40'
102"
C-150-63
1963
132-133
2
GM
TGH3102
31
40'
102"
19780371-2Ex. Transcona Bus Lines (TBL) 30-31 (1954 model)
1963
187-188
2
GM
TDH5105
51
40'
102"
19781823-4Ex. TBL #33-34 (1956 model)
1963
189
1
GM
TDH5105
53
40'
102"
19783146Ex. TBL #35 (1959 model)
1963
190
1
GM
TDH5301
53
40'
102"
19781609Ex. TBL #38 (1960 model)
1963
191
renum. 280
1
GM
TDH5301
53
40'
102"
C-027Ex. TBL #39 (1962 model). Rebuilt & renumbered 280.
1965
201-230
30
GMC
TDH5303
51
40'
102"
C-394-423 No Standee windows
1966
801-815
15
Mitsubishi/Fuso
MAR750L
51
40'
102"
19737371-7385
1967
231-255
25
GMC
TDH5303
51
40'
102"
C-868-92
1967
700
renum. 666
1
Western Flyer Coach
700
52
40'
102"
700X Prototype leased, then purchased.
1968
601-617
17
Western Flyer Coach
700
52
40'
102"
19867001-17
1969
618-665
48
Western Flyer Coach
700
52
40'
102"
19867018-65
1969
301-366
66
Western Flyer Coach
700A
52
40'
102"
19887066-89, 7100-40
1970
367-380
15
Western Flyer Coach
700A
52
40'
102"
19887141-55
1970
821-847
27
Western Flyer Coach
700A
52
40'
102"
19897156-80, 7211-12
1971
848-861
13
Western Flyer Coach
700A
52
40'
102"
19907213-18, 7223-30
1971
862-870
9
Flyer Industries
700A
52
40'
102"
19910671061-9
1971
132
renum. 751
1
GMC
T6H4521A
29
35'
96"
2001814 Radio Test Bus - rebuilt. To MTHA.

Metro buses on Graham Avenue 1971 (Winnipeg Tribune photo)

07 Winnipeg Transit (1972-present)

Winnipeg MCI Classic at Polo Park Terminal (Jim Jawarski photo) City of Winnipeg Transit System (01 January 1972 - present)
Customarily referred to as Winnipeg Transit. Summer-only service to Bird's Hill Park outside the city ended 03 September 1979. Service to Headingley withdrawn 31 December 1992. From 1995 bilingual signs inside buses acknowledging provincial financial support cite la Régie des transports de Winnipeg. (CUTA 1989, CUTA 1991/2, CUTA 1992, photos Jaworski, Dennis Cavanagh and Alex Regiec)
Year
Fleet Series Number
Qty.
Manufacturer/Made By
Model
Seats
Length
Width
Out of Service Date Serial Number Observations
1972
133-142
9
GMC
T6H4521
45
35'
96"
C-312-21 
1972
871-894
24
Flyer Industries
D-700A
52
40'
102"
1991272150-73
1972
901-916
16
Flyer Industries
D-700A
52
40'
102"
1992472174-89
1972
917-924
8
Flyer Industries
D-700A
52
40'
102"
19921272238-45
1973
925-935
11
Flyer Industries
D-700A
52
40'
102"
19920273270-80
1974
21, 23, 24
Flxible
Flxette
19
1977Dial-A-Bus Service in Ft. Richmond-St. Norbert (1974-1977)
1974
31-2, 34-5, 41-2
Funcraft
19
1977Dial-A-Bus Service in Ft. Richmond-St. Norbert (1974-1977)
1974
43, 45, 51-53
Grumman
Dodge Chassis
19
1977Dial-A-Bus Service in Ft. Richmond-St. Norbert (1974-1977)
1975
401-430
30
Flyer Industries
D800-10240
52
40'
102"
1998472-501
1976
575-583
9
Can-Car
CD52TC
45
40'
102"
197817813-24Ex. Saskatoon Transit (1959 model)
1977
701-728
28
Flyer Industries
D800-9635
45
35'
96"
19970603-30
1977
729-745
17
Flyer Industries
D800-9635
45
35'
96"
19971134-50
1977
431-493
63
Flyer Industries
D800-10240
52
40'
102"
19981151-1213
1978
501-570
70
Flyer Industries
D800A-10240
52
40'
102"
19981214-83
1981
941-962
22
Orion Bus Industires
01.501
31
30'
96"
200x?0329-0350
1981
971-976
6
Orion Bus Industires
01.504
39
35'
96"
200x?0354-0359
1982
977-982
6
Orion Bus Industires
01.504
39
35'
96"
200x?0518, 0520-0522, 0524-0525
1984
... 682 ... 685 ... 687 ... 689 ... (?)
circa 20?
GMC
T6H-5307N
 
40'
102"
1985  leased from Edmonton. Known ETS>CWTS renumbers: 982>682, 985>685, 987>687, 989>689
1984
101-107
7
Flyer Industries
D901-10240
50
40'
102"
3019-3025Built for Chicago, which refused delivery
1984
381-389
9
Flyer Industries
D800-10240
52
40'
102"
19901061-1069Ex. Calgary Transit #504-512 (1974 model)
1984
290-299
10
GMC
T6H-5307N
52
40'
102"
2002B3500161 - B3500170 [†]Ex. Calgary Transit #1017-1026 (1981 model)
1984
390-399
10
Flyer Industries
D800-10240
50
40'
102"
19900373-0382Ex. Edmonton Transit #831-840 (1974 model)
1985
65, 67, 69
3
Thomas Built
5+4(1)
21'
95"
1996Handi-Transit
1985
74, 76
2
Thomas Built
5+4(1)
21'
95"
1996Handi-Transit
1985
108-182
75
Flyer Industries
D901A-10240
50
40'
102"
12540-12614
1986
900
1
GMC
TA60102N
 
60'
102"
1986  demo loan from Mississauga fleet
1986
601-630
30
Flyer Industries
D901A-10240
50
40'
102"
12848-12877
1987
631-660
30
New Flyer
D40-87
49
40'
102"
13004-13333
1987
50, 51, 52
3
Thomas Built
5+4(1)
21'
95"
1996Handi-Transit
1988
301-334
34
Motor Coach Industries
TC40102N "Classic"
52
40'
102"
322 wrecked 2007
1989
801-828
28
New Flyer
D40
48
40'
102"
13476-13503
1990
53, 54, 56, 57
4
Goshen
GCII
5+4(1)
22'
96"
1996Handi-Transit
1990
831-860
30
New Flyer
D40
48
40'
102"
13581-13610
1991
861-890
30
New Flyer
D40
51
40'
102"
MU014310 - MU014339 [†]
1992
59, 60
2
Goshen
GCII
5+4(1)
22'
96"
1996Handi-Transit
1992
340-366
27
New Flyer
D40
48
40'
102"
1993
68
1
Goshen
GCII
5+4(1)
22'
96"
1996Handi-Transit
1993
62, 63, 64
3
Overland
Elf
5+4(1)
24'
96"
1996Handi-Transit
1993
901-906
6
Overland
Elf
19
24'
96"
1997
1994
401-403
renum 991-993
3
New Flyer
D40-LF
39
40'
102"
RU015273 - RU015275 [†]1st Low Floors for Wpg.
1994
370-399
30
New Flyer
D40
48
40'
102"
1994
671-699
28
New Flyer
D40
48
40'
102"
RU015477 - RU015505 [†]
1995
78, 79, 80
3
Goshen
GCII
5+4(1)
22'
96"
1996Handi-Transit
1996
911-925
15
New Flyer
D30-LF
25
30'
102"
TU016875 - TU016889 [†]
1998
401-443
43
New Flyer
D40-LF
39
40'
102"
WU018727 - WU018769 [†]
1999
444-504
60
New Flyer
D40-LF
39
40'
102"
WU019365 - WU019424 [†]
2001
930-949
20
New Flyer
D30-LF
25
30'
102"
2002
701-710.
renum. 901-910 [Jan/08]
10
New Flyer
LF40i (Invero)
45
40'
102"
Ordered in 2000, accepted in 2004.
2002
510-561
52
New Flyer
D40-LF
39
40'
102"
2003
570-599
30
New Flyer
D40-LF
39
40'
102"
2004
201-230
30
New Flyer
D40-LF
39
40'
102"
4U027067 - 4U027096 [†]
2005
231-260
30
New Flyer
D40-LF
39
40'
102"
2005
550
1
New Flyer
(prototype)
40'
102"
2005 Hydrogen-Electric Hybrid. Provincial test program
2007
270-281
12
New Flyer
D40-LF
39
40'
102"
2007
998
1
New Flyer
DE60LFR
63
60' 8"
102"
Apr. 2008 five months trial, hybrid. bus built for Lansing MI

Winnipeg CanCar bus (Dennis Cavanagh photo) Winnipeg CanCar bus (Dennis Cavanagh photo) Winnipeg GMC bus (Dennis Cavanagh photo) Winnipeg Flyer bus (Dennis Cavanagh photo) Winnipeg GMC bus (Dennis Cavanagh photo) Winnipeg CanCar bus (Dennis Cavanagh photo) Winnipeg Flyer D800 bus (Dennis Cavanagh photo) Winnipeg Flyer D800 bus (Dennis Cavanagh photo) Winnipeg trial of Mississauga TA60102N artic (Winnipeg Transit photo) Winnipeg trial of Mississauga TA60102N artic (Dennis Cavanagh photo) Winnipeg buses at Osborne Junction 1999 (Alex Regiec photo) Winnipeg 689/Edmonton 989 GM new look (David Wyatt) Winnipeg New Flyer D40LF bus (Alex Regiec photo) New Flyer hydrogen-electric hybrid bus (Alex Regiec photo) Winnipeg 998 NewFlyer DE60LFR (Alex Regiec 2007)

08 Winnipeg's Suburbs

Suburban Rapid Transit Company (02 December 1903 - 26 October 1940)
Incorporated 01 March 1902 to build and operate an electric railway from Winnipeg west on both sides of the Assiniboine River to Headingley. In 1904 powers were expanded to include the R.M. of Saint François-Xavier and Portage-la-Prairie. All operation was conducted under contract by the WESR and its successors. Control of the SRT was purchased by the WER 26 October 1905. Operated street railway lines from Winnipeg to Headingley via St. James and Assiniboia, and from Winnipeg to Charleswood via Tuxedo. Bus lines added towards the end of the franchise. Operations absorbed by WECo at the end of the SRT franchise in 1940. (Winnipeg Transit photo). [tickets]

St. Vital Bus Lines (1932 - circa 1948)
Took over a single bus route from the WECo in St. Vital in 1932. Organization changed name to Beaver Bus Lines Limited in 1939. St. Vital route reabsorbed into main Winnipeg system circa 1948 (CC69). Company shifted to operating suburban bus service between Winnipeg and Selkirk.

CCBL bus at Winnipeg Depot (William A. Luke) Cross-Country Bus Lines Ltd. (circa 1950s)
Suburban carrier operating between the Winnipeg bus depot and Fort Whyte (now also in Winnipeg). (Photo: William A. Luke)

Note

From 01 September 1998 to present (annually September to April) The University of Manitoba operates the " U of M Shuttle" between the institution's Bannatyne campus in central Winnipeg and the Fort Garry campus in the south end of the city. No fares are charged, no intermediate stops are made, and the endpoint stops are all located on University property, making the service technically "in-house" and not public transit. Operated under contract by Vital Transit Services Ltd.

Transcona Systems

Touring car used by Miranda's bus service Mr. Miranda (1912 - ?)
Semi-scheduled automobile (jitney) service between Transcona and Winnipeg. (Transcona 50th, photo: Transcona 25th)

W.F. Lange (1922 - October 1924)
Initial bus service between Winnipeg and Transcona. Incorporated 1924 as the TTC. (Bradley)

Mr. Thompson (? - October 1924)
Operation absorbed by the TTC (Winnipeg Tribune, 30 Jun. 1967).

Transcona Transportation Company (October 1924 - 16 November 1925)
Operation owned by W.F. Lange. Taken over by IS. (Bradley)

The bus to Transcona 1926 (Winnipeg Transit collection) Interurban Services, Ltd (16 November 1925 - 12 January 1928)
Incorporated 02 November 1925 (Man.) and took over TTCo two weeks later. Affiliate of the Winnipeg Electric Company (Winnipeg city system). Initial operation by four buses. Went out of business after an accident in downtown Winnipeg. Transcona bus route absorbed by parent company. (Bradley, CR&MW Nov. 1926, p. 607, photo: Winnipeg Transit)
Year
Fleet Series Number
Qty.
Manufacturer/Made By
Model
Seats
Length
Width
Out of Service Date Serial Number Observations
 
unknown
2
Mack
 
29
 
 
 Ex. Transcona Transportation Co. (TTCo), acq. 1925
 
unknown
1
White
 
29
 
 
 Ex. TTCo, acq. 1925
 
unknown
1
Reo
 
21
 
 
  Ex. TTCo, acq. 1925

WECo Twin model 40 on Transcona Route (Winnipeg Transit) Winnipeg Electric Company (12 January 1928 - 01 May 1941)
Winnipeg city system. Competed with WRBL 1933 - 1941. Service to Transcona curtailed at the direction of the Dominion Transit Controller. (Bradley, Transcona 75th, photo: Winnipeg Transit)

WRBL bus 1954 (Winnipeg Tribune Archives) White Ribbon Bus Lines Ltd. (11 November 1933 - 31 December 1962)
Operation of former WECo bus driver William Dunn. Became owned by Thiessen Bus Lines in 1959 which later became Grey Goose Bus Lines Ltd. In later years did business as Transcona Bus Lines. 1961 advertisement proclaimed "Serving Transcona Since 1927." Service and operation assumed by Metropolitan Corporation of Greater Winnipeg (Winnipeg city system) 01 January 1963. (CC66, Transcona 50th, Transcona 75th, Bus Ride, November 1989, photos: Winnipeg Tribune Archives, Transcona 50th).

Transcona Bus Lines New Look at Transcona garage 1961

09 Commuting in the Winnipeg Region

Bird's Hill, Manitoba

Birds Hill Eastern Bus Lines (William A. Luke) Eastern Bus Lines Ltd. (1950's)
As part of it's longer suburban/rural bus route to Lydiatt EBL operated commuter trips between Winnipeg and Bird's Hill in eastern East St. Paul. The Lydiatt route existed at least as early as 1935. (William A. Luke photo).

East St. Paul, Manitoba

Greater Winnipeg Transit Commission (circa 1957 - 31 December 1960)
Winnipeg city system expanded to include East St. Paul in its service area, over the objections of rural/intercity carrier Red River Motor Coach Lines, Ltd., which had served the area since 1925. GWTC reorganized as the Transit Department of the M Corp of G.W. 1961.

Metropolitan Corporation of Greater Winnipeg (01 January 1961 - 10 February 1965)
Winnipeg city system, also referred to as Metro Transit. East St. Paul Rural Municipality withdrew from Metro 01 January 1965 and Metro Transit eliminated its bus service. Rural/intercity carrier Thiessen Bus Lines, successor to RRMC, continued to operate suburban frequencies through East St. Paul from Winnipeg although schedules were reduced by 1966.

East St. Paul Transit Co-Op (30 July 1973 - 1974)
Service between East St. Paul and Winnipeg. Intended to supersede rural/highway service operated by Grey Goose Bus Lines Ltd. (successor to TBL and RRMC). Sponsored in part by the East St. Paul Chamber of Commerce. Service terminated in the absence of municipal subsidy.

Headingley, Manitoba

Suburban Rapid Transit Company (20 December 1905 - 20 August 1930)
The SRT operated in other Winnipeg suburbs 1903 - 1940. All operation was conducted under contract by the Winnipeg Electric Street Railway Company and its successors. Control of the SRT was purchased by the Winnipeg Electric Railway Company 26 October 1905. Headingley service was converted to buses 07 May 1930 and abandoned completely in August. (Winnipeg Transit photo).

Sonnichsen Headingley bus 1967 (Peter Cox) Sonnichsen Transportation (1938 - 1967)
Service between Headingley and Winnipeg. ST established circa 1940 (Bus Ride, November 1989, cited as Sonnichsen Bus Lines). The company, which included school bus operations, was sold to Grey Goose Bus Lines in 1986 (APR). (Scrafton et al. 1970, Peter Cox and William A. Luke photos).

Sonnichsen Garwood (William A. Luke)

City of Winnipeg Transit System (26 September 1983 - 31 December 1992)
Winnipeg city system, customarily referred to as Winnipeg Transit. Service to Headingley withdrawn 1992 when Headingley became a separate municipality.

Lorette, Manitoba

Lorette Bus Lines Ltd. (circa September 1992 - circa 1993)
Suburban commuter service between Lorette and Winnipeg. Not in the telephone book in 1994.

St. Adolphe, Manitoba

Winnipeg Riverbend Bus Line (William A. Luke) Riverbend Bus Line (1940's)
Operator of suburban bus service between Winnipeg and Saint Adolphe. (William A. Luke photo).

Beaver Bus Lines Limited (1947 - 1963)
Operator of suburban bus service between Winnipeg and Saint Adolphe. Some trips extended to Niverville and Ste. Agathe. (Regiec et al.)

Southern Bus Lines 52 Fuso (Paul Leger) Southern Bus Lines (1963 - ?)
Operator of suburban bus service between Winnipeg and Saint Adolphe and Niverville. (Regiec et al., Paul Leger photo).

Ste. Anne, Manitoba

Eagle BL departs for Ste. Anne (William A. Luke) Eagle Bus Lines Ltd. (1950s?)
Suburban short turns were operated by Eagle between Winnipeg and Ste. Anne in the 1950s (William A. Luke photo).

Selkirk, Manitoba

Winnipeg, Selkirk and Lake Winnipeg Railway Company (25 May 1908 - 30 September 1948)
Incorporated 05 July 1900 (Man.) to build and operate a steam or electric railway from Winnipeg north to West Selkirk or the west shore of Lake Winnipeg. Buses began serving selected Winnipeg - Selkirk runs 11 June 1931. All Selkirk - Winnipeg electric rail operation ceased in favour of buses 01 September 1937 (see below).

A branch line from Middlechurch on the Winnipeg - Selkirk line to Stony Mountain and Stonewall opened for service 14 December 1914 (opening ceremony 12 December 1914). Experimentally, a feeder bus route was operated from Stonewall north to Balmoral, Gunton and Teulon from June to "end of summer" 1922. The Stonewall line was bus operated 23 May 1934 to 10 December 1934, and all electric car service ended in favour of buses 1939 (see below). (Baker). Selkirk Streamliner
Suburban bus service between Selkirk and Winnipeg continued directly from interurban electric railway operations (see above). WS&LW a subsidiary of WECo, the Winnipeg city system and all buses carried the parent company's name until the service was marketed as Selkirk Streamliner in the late 1940s. (photos Winnipeg Transit, Dennis Cavanagh)

WECo 111 restored by MTHA (Dennis Cavanagh 2001) WECo 621 MCI Courier (William A. Luke) WECo 601 Selkirk Streamliner at Winnipeg Bus Depot (William A. Luke)

BBL New Flyer D40 in downtown Winnipeg 2001 (Peter McLaughlin photo) Beaver Bus Lines Limited (01 October 1948 - present)
Suburban transit service between Selkirk and Winnipeg. Company began as St. Vital Bus Lines operating a service in St. Vital [suburban Winnipeg] 1932 - 1948. (photos Peter McLaughlin, Dennis Cavanagh, and Alex Regiec).

Beaver Bus Lines (William A. Luke) Beaver Bus Lines 19 CanCar IC41 (William A. Luke) BBL CanCar Voyageur (Redden Archives Collection) BBL 24 WFC T32 (William A. Luke) BBL GM New Look (Dennis Cavanagh photo) BBL MCI Classic 2004 (Alex Regiec photo)

Stony Mountain / Stonewall, Manitoba

Winnipeg, Selkirk and Lake Winnipeg Railway Company
Interurban electric railway service (see above). The Stony Mountain-Stonewall line was bus operated by the WS&LW 23 May 1934 to 10 December 1934.

Beaver Bus Lines Limited (1939 - 1946)
Started bus service replacing discontinued interurban to Stonewall and Stony Mountain. Sold route to GGB. (Regiec et al.).

Thiessen Bus Lines 20, Western Flyer on suburban trip to Stony Mountain (William A. Luke) Grey Goose Bus Lines Ltd. (1946 - ?)
As part of it's intercity bus service in Manitoba's interlake region, GGB operated commuter trips between Winnipeg and Stony Mountain. Company acquired by, and merged with Thiessen Bus Lines 1961. Operation shortly re-branded as Grey Goose. (Regiec et al., William A. Luke photos).

Thiessen Bus Lines 10, a Western Flyer T-32 (William A. Luke)