The principle of providing a subsidy to metro's money-losing transit system was supported Tuesday in briefs presented by the municipalities to metro's special committee on transit.

Fort Garry, St. Vital, and Assiniboia indicated they favour some form of subsidy. Transit operations will have an expected deficit of $738,000 this year.

The three briefs, and resolutions submitted by East Kildonan, East St. Paul and West St. Paul, were the first submissions of about 30 to be heard by the special committee.

Fort Garry Mayor L. R. Fennell presented his council's views on how transit problems should be met; Councillor Florence L. Pierce represented St. Vital; and Councillor Ed Russenholt spoke for Assiniboia.

Mayor Fennell said "... the municipalities which acquired the system for the benefit of their residents should, if necessary, absort at least part if not all of any deficit which results after a reasonable fare is charged to riders.

"The apportioning of the deficit, we feel, should be on the basis of the number of residents in the area served by the system, with consideration being given to the amount of benefit received by municipalities in which it does not operate but either approaches or terminates at their boundaries."

He was cautious on the matter of bus terminals suggested for Winnipeg's downtown area.

"At the present time, we do not feel competent to give an opinion on it. There are definite advantages but the cost of erection and maintenance might be prohibitive.

Other Fort Garry recommendations:

• Bus routes in new subdivisions should be established before plans are registered, with service to follow when necessary.
• Priority in use of streets, establishment of bus lanes and curb parking be the decision of metro administrators.
A parking area on an active transit line be set up as an experiment to see if motorists will use it and continue their trip elsewhere by transit.
• Discontinuance of the provincial tax on diesel fuel.
• Present cash fare be maintained.

St. Vital's brief said subsidized public transportation "would seem of necessity to be the paramount decision which the metropolitan council must ultimately make."

St. Vital was concerned about increase in population and development of the municipality while transit service is being cut, said Councillor Pierce.

St. Vital suggested that old age pensioners be permitted to ride transit buses at a fare of two tickets for 15 cents "between the hours of 10 a.m. and 6 p.m." It also favoured the present fare structure to remain but consideration be given to a 50-cent pass which, together with the five cents per trip, would entitle the rider to 100 rides.

Assiniboia's brief emphasized the need for "suitable waiting rooms" and bus shelters at points on the transit system's lines.

"The establishment of a downtown bus terminal is a necessity if it would help sell transit to customers," the brief read.

On the matter of transit deficits the brief pointed out that business establishments "benefit from the operation of the transit system" and that "these benefitters owe something towards its operation."

The East Kildonan resolution supported the abolition of the tax on diesel fuel. West St. Paul opposed transfer of certain transit costs to the metro general fund.

East St. Paul, at present not served by transit asked that service be established.