WINNIPEG - February 10, 2010 - Winnipeggers can now access Transit information anytime, anywhere with a simple text from their cell phone. Winnipeg Transit has introduced ‘BUStxt’, a Short Message Service (SMS) that lets transit users get real-time Transit information on their mobile devices.

Transit customers can use texting features on their standard cell phones or web-enabled ‘smart’ phones to find Transit stops nearest them, bus departure times at stops, or find out when the bus they are on will reach a location further along the route. BUStxt can be accessed at 287898 (bustxt). Standard text messaging rates may apply.

As SMS messages are limited to 136 characters, all messages are presented in a condensed form. BUStxt allows customers to access information using a variety of search commands and simple keywords. Within a short time of receiving a text message inquiry from a customer, BUStxt automatically returns service information based on the customer’s search parameters.

For example, a customer can send a message to BUStxt to:

• Find the stops closest to an address, intersection, or major landmark specified in the customer’s text message.
• Find the bus departure times for any of Winnipeg Transit’s 5,000 bus stops. The 5-digit bus stop ID number or the stop intersection (eg. ‘10171’ or ‘nb osborne@river’ for the stop at northbound Osborne@River) must be specified in the customer’s text message. BUSTxt will automatically reply with a message listing the departure time, route number and the destination of the bus (or buses) departing from that stop.
• Find information about the service of a bus they are riding on. For example, passengers can find out when the bus they are currently riding on will reach a specific location on its route which can helpful when passengers are planning to transfer to another bus.

BUStxt returns ‘real-time’ information based on schedule updates automatically reported to the Transit Control Centre by the GPS-equipped iBUS technology recently installed on the Winnipeg Transit fleet.

Complete instructions on how to use BUStxt are available on-line at www.winnipegtransit.com (click on the “Route & Schedule Info” link). Condensed instructions can also be obtained by sending the text message “HELP” to 287898 (bustxt).

WINNIPEG - February 10, 2010 - Committed to creating positive alternatives for at-risk youth, Mayor Sam Katz today presented a motion to Executive Policy Committee directing civic administration to take a holistic approach and provide an environmental scan of intervention programs that focus on preventing youth from joining gangs and making criminal lifestyle choices.

Statistics Canada reported that between 1991 and 2006 Manitoba experienced a 16% increase in youth crime rates while youth crime rates declined in four other provinces.

In 2007, the Federal Government announced a $16.1 million dollar fund for youth at risk, including $11.1 million to create the National Crime Prevention Centre which included a $1.9 million investment for the Halifax Youth Advocate Program.

The Halifax Youth Advocate Program is an intervention strategy targeting youth 9-14 years old to prevent them from engaging in criminal and gang-related activities. The Program offers assistance to youth as well as their families by developing a unique intervention strategy and action plan for each at-risk youth that includes approaches such as tutoring, mentoring, life skills, counseling, recreation and sport.

“It is the responsibility for of all levels of government, community groups, and individual members of society to work together to address root causes of criminal behavior by youth,” said Mayor Sam Katz. “By taking a comprehensive and focused approach, I hope we can concentrate our efforts to ensure that we are doing everything we can to educate our children on the danger of gangs, but more significantly, the importance of success through education and hard work.”

The motion calls for a report back within 120 days.

WINNIPEG - February 10, 2010

City of Winnipeg Offices: All civic offices are closed Monday, February 15, 2010

Recycling/Garbage Collection on Monday, February 15, 2010:

Single-family Homes

• There will be no recycling or garbage collection on Monday, February 15, 2010. Collection will resume on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 – Day 5 on the five-day cycle.

Multi-family Apartments

• Recycling and garbage collection will continue as normally scheduled.

Hours of operation for the Brady Road Landfill during the holiday weekend:

Saturday, February 13, 2010	9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, February 14, 2010	9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Monday, February 15, 2010	5:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The Recycling/Garbage Collection Calendar and information on Brady Road Landfill is at the back of the MTS White Pages Phone Book and at www.winnipeg.ca/waterandwaste

Winnipeg Transit:

Monday, February 15, 2010, Winnipeg Transit will be operating on a Sunday schedule.
For more information, visit www.winnipegtransit.com or call 311.

Libraries:

All branches will be closed on Monday, February 15, 2010.

Assiniboine Park:

Zoo:

• Open 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p. m. on Monday, February 15, 2010.

Conservatory:

• Open 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Monday, February 15, 2010.

All pools will be closed on Monday, February 15, 2010, except Pan Am Pool.
Pan Am will be open 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Leisure Centres:

All Leisure Centres are closed on Monday, February 15, 2010.
Please see the Leisure Guide or visit www.winnipeg.ca for Leisure Centre schedules.

Animal Services Agency:

The Animal Services Agency will be closed Monday, February 15, 2010.

WINNIPEG - February 10, 2010 - The public is advised that eastbound and westbound Wellington Crescent between Lanark Street and Academy Road will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic beginning at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 11, 2010 due to safety concerns raised by the owner of the Oak Point Bridge.  The Bridge passes over both Wellington Crescent and Wolseley Avenue West.

Residents living on Wellington Crescent between Lanark Street and Academy Road will still have access to their homes, though no through traffic on Wellington Crescent will be permitted.  Motorists are advised to use Academy Road as an alternate route.

Wolseley Avenue West will also be closed beneath the Oak Point Bridge.  Local access will be maintained to area properties.

These closures will remain in effect until such time as the City is satisfied that there are no safety concerns with the structure.

The privately-owned Oak Point Bridge is located immediately east of the St. James Bridges.