FORMER mayor Glen Murray says rapid transit is a critical weapon in the battle against urban sprawl and could save cities money in the long run.

Murray, now a researcher and lecturer at the University of Toronto, would not comment specifically on Winnipeg's rapid transit system or on Mayor Sam Katz's recent decision to delay its construction.

But Murray did say he has encountered similar issues during recent trips to American cities such as Indianapolis, which is pondering a rail system.

He said a fast, convenient and modern transit system is key to creating a vibrant downtown full of residential units instead of parking lots. And he said transit also helps create vibrant, walkable neighbourhoods instead of miles of flat, big-box developments only reachable by car. That becomes increasingly important as the population ages and is less able to drive, said Murray.

"You can't build high-density neighbourhoods and make them stick unless you have an effective, affordable transit system," said Murray.

Rapid transit also increases ridership, which means revenues from the fare box fund the system instead of property taxpayers.

In Winnipeg, though, more property tax revenue is used each year to fund transit, meaning the money can't be spent on other city services.

This year, property tax payers are subsidizing the city's transit system to the tune of about $32 million. That's up from $26 million in 1999, and it's continuing to increase while revenue from bus passes and the fare box do not.