City Council will soon have the opportunity to consider detailed information about what routes a rapid bus service and active transportation network could look like for Nutana and the city centre.

Following more than three years of technical work and public engagement, Saskatoon City Council will receive reports with recommendations on possible routes for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the Downtown Active Transportation (AT) Network.

“The BRT system and Downtown AT Network are about more than transit, cycling and walking,” says Jay Magus, Director of Transportation. “They are about making a transportation system that works for everybody as the city grows and more people need to safely and efficiently move around the same amount of space.”

The BRT system and Downtown AT Network are key components of the City’s Plan for Growth, supporting corridor growth and economic development by improving the mobility of current and future residents. They enable viable options to automobile travel, helping the City with sustainability, climate and population growth challenges that are becoming increasingly important to address.

A number of network options have been evaluated in both the Downtown and Nutana areas for the BRT, and Downtown for the AT Network. The City Administration has considered the implications for each of the options and has made its recommendations. While there are recommended and preferred options based on the technical criteria for each system (BRT and AT), it must be stressed that any of the routing options evaluated will work and are supported by the Administration.

Magus says an intensive public engagement campaign was conducted that covered all areas of the city and offered many opportunities for input. “As our neighbourhoods and population continue to grow, by undertaking such a concerted engagement effort – for both the BRT and Downtown AT Network – we were able to look at how our technical recommendations can best work with what the citizens of Saskatoon see as important for the future of moving around our city.”

Report information, including technical recommendations and engagement results, are available on the City of Saskatoon website at saskatoon.ca/transit-plan (for BRT) and saskatoon.ca/moving-around/cycling/cycling-plans-projects (for Downtown AT Network). The official Agenda for the April 29^th City Council meeting will be available April 24^th at 4:00 p.m. at saskatoon.ca/city-hall.

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see the Saskatoon Blades vs. the Prince Albert Raiders during Game 6 of the 2019 WHL Playoffs, Round 2, at SaskTel Centre on Sunday, April 14, 2019 is available at the following times:

• 2:45 p.m.
• 3:15 p.m.
• 3:45 p.m.

Post event drop-off is the downtown terminal.

Regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Transfers and passes are also accepted.

Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre in April can be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see the Saskatchewan Rush vs. the Philadelphia Wings at SaskTel Centre on Saturday, April 13 is available at the following times:

• 5:45 p.m.
• 6:00 p.m.
• 6:25 p.m.
• 6:40 p.m.
• 7:05 p.m.
• 7:20 p.m.

Post event drop-off is the downtown terminal.

Regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Transfers and passes are also accepted.

Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre in April can be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.

A major rehabilitation of the Senator Sid L. Buckwold Bridge starts on Monday, April 15. The work will happen over the next two construction seasons to minimize the impact on traffic and eliminate the need for a full bridge closure.

Beginning Monday and through to the end of October, the lanes leaving downtown will be closed and traffic will be diverted to the other side. The walkway will remain open.

During the 2020 construction season, the lanes heading into downtown will be closed, traffic will flip to the other side and the bridge walkway will be closed.

The Meewasin Trail on both sides of the bridge will stay open throughout the project with the possibility of temporary disruptions on the Rotary Park side during some phases of work.

The bridge rehabilitation includes deck repairs, new asphalt, barrier replacement, walkway widening, a new drainage system and resurfacing the Idylwyld Drive ramps over 19^th Street.

Drivers can expect delays and Saskatoon Transit routes 5, 8, 10, 12, 15, 19, 20, 81, 82, 83, 84 and 86 may also be delayed. Riders are encouraged to check the mobile app called Transit for real-time bus information.

For more information about the Sid Buckwold Bridge Rehabilitation Project, please visit Saskatoon.ca/sidbuckwold.

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see the Saskatoon Blades vs. the Prince Albert Raiders during the 2019 WHL Playoffs, Round 2, at SaskTel Centre on Tuesday, April 9 and Wednesday, April 10, 2019 is available at the following times:

• 5:45 p.m.
• 6:15 p.m.
• 6:45 p.m.

Post event drop-off is the downtown terminal.

Regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Transfers and passes are also accepted.

Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre in April can be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.

The City of Saskatoon, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Transit, and Meewasin have teamed up to host an open house highlighting the projects happening around Kinsmen Park and area.

The open house is a come and go format and will be held Tuesday, April 16 at TCU Place (Gallery D – Main Floor) from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Everyone is welcome to attend. 

It will be an opportunity to learn about proposed plans for the Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan festival site, Meewasin trail upgrades, potential expansion concepts for the Civic Conservatory and a parking and transportation service study and bus service for the Kinsmen Park area.

Civic Conservatory

With the opening of the Remai Modern and the conversion of the Mendel Building into the Nutrien Wonderhub, the Civic Conservatory is temporarily closed.  During this time, the City is taking the opportunity to assess future uses in the Conservatory and how each could be incorporated into an expanded facility.  Additional public engagement will help ensure that the concept designs are reflective of community needs, priorities and interests for the facility. 

Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan

Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan is in the final stage of plans to build permanent structures on their riverbank location.  The new design features improved accessibility and Meewasin trail integration, an outdoor amphitheatre base with tiered seating for their large main stage tent, spectacular lighting design and other enhanced infrastructures for the festival and community events.

Meewasin

As part of ongoing work to improve the existing Meewasin Trail, this project is focused on upgrades to the secondary trails north of Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan that provide access to the Prairie Lily dock and the adjacent riverfront areas. Installed originally in the 1980s, this trail has deteriorated significantly and does not meet current standards. The upgraded trail will also provide for improved pedestrian access to the Shakespeare site.

Saskatoon Transit

Attendees will be engaged on what they would like to see for bus service to the Kinsmen Park area.

Parking Strategy and Transportation Services Study

The parking strategy and transportation study is part of the Kinsmen Park and Area Master Plan that was approved by City Council in 2011.  The study aims to conduct a comprehensive parking, motor traffic and active transportation analysis for Kinsmen Park and area, which includes the Conservatory, Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan and Nutrien WunderHub.

The parking strategy will identify the existing and projected supply and demand for parking and provide a plan to mitigate parking needs. The transportation study will assess the movement of people driving motor vehicles, riding bicycles, and walking within and around the study area.

For more information visit saskatoon.ca/engage.

Transit routes will be impacted during the Sid Buckwold Bridge Rehabilitation project.

Starting April 15, delays can be expected on Transit routes 8, 81, 82, 83, 84, 86, 19, 20 and 15. Riders are encouraged to consult the mobile app called Transit for real-time bus information.

Route detours will start on April 15th, 2019 and will remain in place for the duration of this year’s portion of the rehabilitation, October 31st, 2019.

The latest project information will be posted at Saskatoon.ca/sidbuckwold.

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see the Saskatchewan Rush vs. the Vancouver Warriors at SaskTel Centre on Saturday, March 30 is available at the following times:

• 5:45 p.m.
• 6:00 p.m.
• 6:25 p.m.
• 6:40 p.m.
• 7:05 p.m.
• 7:20 p.m.

Post event drop-off is the downtown terminal.

Regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Transfers and passes are also accepted.

Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre in March can be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.

Today, Saskatoon Transit marks a milestone on their journey to provide a fully-accessible public transit system.

Thanks to recent investments, the City’s fleet of various types of buses are now 100% accessible, allowing those with reduced mobility the freedom and independence of using conventional transit.

Starting in 2018 under the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) program, the Government of Canada and the City of Saskatoon each invested $12 million for a total of $24 million toward the purchase of 41 accessible low-floor conventional buses that can either kneel and/or have a ramp, along with nine specialized buses with wheelchair lifts for Access Transit. Within the same time frame, the Government of Saskatchewan’s Transit Assistance for People with Disabilities (TAPD) program also contributed $220,000 toward four additional specialized buses for Access Transit. A total of 54 new buses have been purchased for the City’s fleet, making it completely accessible.

This milestone allows Saskatoon Transit to connect more people to their destinations than ever by using a “Family of Services” approach. This means, Access Transit customers now have more transportation flexibility and spontaneity using conventional transit. The City encourages Access customers to use Transit’s conventional service for all or part of their trips. Transit Travel Training is available for those who may be new or unsure about taking conventional transit.

“Our investments in public transit are allowing people to spend less time commuting and more precious time with their families,” said the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency, on behalf of the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities. “I’m proud to see that Saskatoon has transitioned to a fleet of 100% accessible buses, providing barrier-free transit services to ensure that everyone can get where they need to go safely and comfortably.”

“The Government of Saskatchewan commends the City of Saskatoon for reaching this destination. Our government is proud to have played a supportive role on this journey. That was done by contributing $220,000 in provincial funding between 2018 and 2019 toward four additional specialized buses for Access Transit under our Transit Assistance for People with Disabilities program,” said Government Relations Minister Warren Kaeding. “In our new provincial budget, we also increased capital funding for Transit Assistance for People with Disabilities by $250,000. This is a 45% increase from last years’ budget, bringing the program total for 2019-20 to $3.8 million to support eligible applicants across Saskatchewan.”

“We are continually working to improve our service and are extremely proud of reaching this milestone as we work towards a fully accessible transit service. We want all of our customers to have safe, convenient, and affordable transit options,” said Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit.

“The Commission commends the City of Saskatoon on the leadership it has provided in making this initiative possible. We will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure the people of Saskatoon have effective and accessible transit,” said David Arnot, Commissioner of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission. “Accessible transportation is a building block for a fair, inclusive, and equitable society. By removing barriers to transportation, we enable access to education and employment, as well as, to the services, opportunities, and benefits of living in a thriving multicultural and pluralistic city like Saskatoon.”

Experience Transit, Saskatoon Transit’s travel training program began as a pilot in mid-2017. The program is personalized, 60-minute training to introduce people to transit and teach them how to use conventional transit services independently. Training is customized to fit an individual’s lifestyle, travel needs and abilities. The program includes:

• Trip planning
• Wayfinding and navigation
• Fares
• Boarding and exiting
• Requesting accessible features
• Problem solving tips for when unexpected challenges occur

Over the past several years, Saskatoon Transit has implemented internal and external stop announcements as part of their commitment to providing accessible service. A complete bus stop audit will be conducted this summer to review all locations and their accessibility. 

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see the Saskatoon Blades vs. the Moose Jaw Warriors during the 2019 WHL Playoffs, Round 1, at SaskTel Centre on Friday, March 22 and Saturday, March 23, 2019 is available at the following times:

• 5:45 p.m.
• 6:15 p.m.
• 6:45 p.m.

Post event drop-off is the downtown terminal.

Regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Transfers and passes are also accepted.

Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre in March can be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.