The City of Winnipeg is attempting to clarify a Transit bylaw that was seen by some in the city as foolish and unnecessary when it was discussed at council Wednesday.

The city issued a press release Thursday suggesting amendments are "under development" to reword a portion of the bylaw that would prohibit singing or playing musical instruments on city buses.

﻿"The intent of the proposed Transit bylaw is to provide improvements to Transit safety and security, and to provide a mechanism to manage disruptive behaviour on the Transit system," Transit director Dave Wardrop said in a release. "With some revised wording, we expect that the purpose of the proposed bylaw will be clearer that the intent is not to limit freedom of expression."

Wardrop indicated the bylaw is intended to deal with "inappropriate behaviour."

The proposed bylaw clarifies rules for non-payment of fares and includes provisions for banning people from taking transit who violate the rules of conduct. The new regulations also include a long list of prohibited activities on transit property, from a ban on littering, inhaling solvents and consuming alcoholic beverages to carrying a firearm or a container with explosives.

Coun. Jenny Gerbasi, who announced on social media Thursday she would look at ways of improving the wording of the bylaw, said special constables are already being brought in to enhance safety on Transit and direction was needed on how they will operate.

Still, she concedes the wording of the bylaw is lacking.

"I don't think it's been very well communicated," she said.

"I think the intent of the bylaw is really good in terms of providing more safety for transit riders, and that's what the bylaw's about. Change the wording so we're not talking to someone singing to a baby, we're not talking about someone breaking into a song that everyone joins. It's more about someone being disruptive and causing a problem."

Those being disruptive on a bus stand to face a $100 fine.

"﻿If a transit user is singing in a manner that is not disturbing fellow passengers or the transit operator, there is no issue," Wardrop said.

david.larkins@sunmedia.ca

Twitter: @LarkinsWSun