(The) first step in recently announced plans to further modernize and improve Winnipeg's transit system was taken Tuesday when civic public works committee approved construction of trolley bus overhead distribution systems along existing street car routes.

Permission to go ahead with construction is subject to approval by safety committee.

If plans are approved, trolley buses will travel North Main St. for the first time, paving the way for the ultimate removal of street cars on the Portage Ave.-North Main route.

(A) major part of the Greater Winnipeg Transit Commission's $1,000,000 summer program will replace street car service in Elmwood and East Kildonan with a combined trolley bus - motor bus service.

Route changes would send Stafford and Academy trolley buses to East Kildonan via Main St., switch Selkirk-Corydon buses to Main St. from the present Notre Dame Ave.-Salter St. bridge route and eliminate shuttle bus service between Main St. and Salter at Selkirk Ave. and Main.

At present, Stafford and Academy trolley buses loop in the downtown area via Portage Ave., Garry St., and Graham Ave.

The Transit Commission contends that by linking those two routes with the East Kildonan route, congestion in the downtown area if both routes looped separately would be avoided.

It would also provide more convenience and less transferring for Stafford and Academy commuters heading into areas east of Main and north of Portage.

Proposed changes in the Selkirk-Corydon route, the commission maintains, would relieve the present heavy transit traffic on Notre Dame Ave. between Portage Ave. and Isabel St. and provide an alternative service downtown via Main St. from the north-west section of the city.

Proposed route changes are as follows:

East Kildonan-Stafford-Academy route: from the present terminal on Henderson Highway at Rossmere Ave., trolley buses will travel south to Hespeler Ave., west to Main St., south on Main to Portage to Memorial Blvd., south to St. Mary Ave., then pick up existing route. Northbound buses will follow the same route.

Selkirk-Corydon route, now operating over the Crosstown Highway and Notre Dame Ave.: from the terminal at Selkirk and McPhillips, trolley buses will travel east on Selkirk to Main St., south on Main to Graham Ave., then west on Graham Ave. and on to (the) present Corydon route. Northbound buses will follow the present route east, on Graham, but instead of turning north on Smith St., will head east to Main, then north to Selkirk.