This year CYM-in-session is being held in person at Canadian Mennonite University (CMU) in Winnipeg, MB (July 8-13, 2023). The Greyhound bus service no longer exists, so the public transit option for ground transportation is the train, for those who prefer not to fly.

How to get to the Canadian Mennonite University

You are looking for the Canadian Mennonite University, South Side Campus, 600 Shaftsbury Boulevard. Make sure you go to the South Side Campus. (The address given on the internet –  “500 Shaftsbury Boulevard” – on the is on the North Side Campus.)

From the Winnipeg Richardson International Airport, 1970 Wellington Avenue

  • by car CMU is an 18-minute drive according to Google Maps
  • by bus CMU is a 44 minute  ride. 
    • Use the Navigo trip planner on the Winnipeg Transit website (https://winnipegtransit.com) 
    • You can pay exact fare cash on the bus $3.15 adult (17 -64 yrs)/$2.65 Youth (16 and under) and Senior (65 and over with photo ID)

From Via Rail Union Station, 123 Main Street

  • By car CMU is a 9-minute drive, according to Google Maps
  • by bus CMU is a 28 minutes ride
    • Use the Navigo trip planner on the Winnipeg Transit website (https://winnipegtransit.com) 
    • You can pay exact fare cash on the bus $3.15 adult (17 -64 yrs)/$2.65 Youth (16 and under) and Senior (65 and over; you must show photo ID)

Driving from the West Perimeter

  • Winnipeg is circled by a highway-type thoroughfare called the “Perimeter” and identified as Manitoba Route 101 and Canada Route 100
  • From the intersection of the TransCanada Highway and the Perimeter on the West, CMU is 14 minutes driving time, by Google Maps

Driving from the East Perimeter

  • Winnipeg is circled by a highway-type thoroughfare called the “Perimeter” and identified as Manitoba Route 101 and Canada Route 100
  • From the intersection of the TransCanada Highway and the Perimeter on the East, CMU is 30 minutes driving time, by Google Maps

Train options

Here is some information on train transportation provided by Chris Hitchcock, Hamilton Monthly Meeting.

I travelled to CYM 2019 by train. Sleeping in our seats was a challenge. But the sleeper class is quite a bit more expensive. The train is almost always late because Via Rail doesn’t own the tracks and the passenger trains have to yield to any freight trains along the way.

Via Rail trains run twice a week, so it is not possible to synchronize travel with the train times. The closest options that include the CYM-in-Session period of July 8-13 are:

Direction

Arrival Time

Departure Time

Eastbound (from Vancouver)

July 5 @ 22:00 (3 nights early)

July 13 @ 21:30

Westbound (from Toronto)

July 6 @19:30 (2 nights early)

July 16 @ 23:30 (3 nights late)

It is possible to stay at CMU residence for additional nights, which is probably the least expensive option.

Via Rail has multiple classes of tickets. The least expensive is to travel Economy Escape, which is a non-refundable ticket. There are two other Escape class tickets, with more options for refunds for a higher price. There is a steep cost for sleeping facilities, which are available as Berths, or as Cabins. You can book tickets on-line at https://reservia.viarail.ca/.

Via Rail has discounts for infants (<2), children (2-11), youth (12-25), seniors (60+), CAA members and for people who book on Tuesdays. The discounts depend on which class of ticket you are purchasing. If these things apply to you, look at the discount information page at https://www.viarail.ca/en/offers/deals-discounts.

Example departure dates and costs (without discounts):

Departure

Arrival

Lowest Fare

(inc taxes)

Additional Days of Accommodation (before, after)

From Vancouver

Jul 3 @ 15:00

Jul 5 @ 22:00

$688.80

3 nights (+3, 0)

Jul 13 @ 21:30

Jul 16 @ 08:00

From Toronto

Jul 5 @ 09:55

Jul 6 @ 19:30

$571.78

5 nights (+2, +3)

Jul 16 @ 23:30

Jul 18 @ 14:29