Winnipeg Transit’s Lost & Found collects up to 1,500 items per month

Ever lose something on public transit? Well, you’re not alone. Officials say anywhere from 1,000-1,500 items are found on a monthly basis. From winter gear to cellphones, to a prosthetic leg, transit officials have seen it all.

“Often times things are left behind on the bus,” said Teresa Platt, the manager of Client Services for the Winnipeg Transit Department. “There was a time that a goldfish was found and became our staff pet.

“We’ve had rackets, we’ve had hockey sticks, we’ve had all sorts of items that are fairly unique.”

Winnipeg Transit’s lost and found is responsible for all of the misplaced items on the city’s transit vehicles. Platt says the program strives to reconnect as many people as they can with their lost belongings.

“They know the feeling to see someone really excited to be connected with something that they’ve lost so the team takes that very seriously.”

Due to the strict privacy rules, CityNews wasn’t able to film inside of the lost and found.

“We do have a process to ensure valuables are safeguarded and locked and ensuring that we are connecting it to the right people,” Platt explained.

While many of the misplaced items are found by bus drivers, Platt says it’s also common for people who use their services to drop off things that they’ve found.

“We see individuals who are reconnected with their items because of the kindness of citizens who have brought the items to transit or the downtown service centre,” said Platt.

“Items are kept at the downtown service centre for 30 days, after that the items are recycled, donated or in some cases disposed of.”

To claim an item, individuals must provide a description of what they’ve lost, and the time and route number traveled.