Saskatoon Transit is cooperating with a police investigation following a stabbing incident in and around a Transit bus last night.

“We applaud the quick actions of our Operator and grateful that they are safe,” says Director of Saskatoon Transit, Jim McDonald. “Fortunately, incidents like this involving a Transit bus are very rare and our service remains a very safe way to get around.”

Two people, male and female were already on the bus when another male and female got on at Appleby Drive. The four riders were the only passengers on the bus.

A short time later at Avenue T and 20th Street, a fight broke out between the two groups. The Operator called emergency; stopped the bus and opened the rear doors allowing the passengers to get out. A man appeared to have been stabbed to his chest area and a woman was cut on the face. 

The injured people got back on the bus until paramedics arrived. Ambulance staff took a man and woman to hospital for further treatment.

“We again ask everyone to please only take Transit when necessary – that is, to go to work, get groceries, medicine or for medical appointments not related to COVID-19 symptoms,” McDonald says. “Our buses are running to get medical staff, first responders and other essential workers where they need to go so they can help the rest of us.” 

McDonald adds that avoiding unneeded trips provides Operators and necessary travellers the physical space they need for a safe ride.

The Operator was not involved and is safe; anytime following a serious incident, employees are removed from their shifts and offered counselling and other supports.

Once police were finished their investigation on the bus, it was sent for an established deep cleaning procedure any time bodily fluids are present on a bus.

Police have requested the on-board security video. There is no word on arrests, Public Health Order violations or criminal charges.

Due to COVID-19 physical distancing requirements, the City of Saskatoon already has a number of adjusted services in place. On Good Friday, April 10 and Easter Monday, April 13, there are a number of holiday service adjustments. See full details on the City’s website.

Please visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19 for timely updates from the City of Saskatoon on everything you need to know to stay safe.

We are constantly reassessing developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens, and how the City delivers public services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Saskatoon Transit updates

As an added level of safety, mid-route bus cleaning has started during the day in the downtown terminal. Passengers will be required to exit the bus while all hard surfaces are wiped down.

Starting Thursday, April 2, Saskatoon Transit will not be entering the University of Saskatchewan campus until further notice. This applies to the transit stop in front of Place Riel. Visit saskatoontransit.ca for up-to-date information on off-campus routes, and pickup and drop-off locations around College Drive.

Residents are reminded to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and avoid non-essential travel. To avoid crowded buses, please consider travelling during off-peak times. Always maintain about a two-arms-length or 2-metre distance from other riders.

Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge Walkway Closed; University Bridge Walkways Open to One-way Pedestrian Traffic

In addition to the changes previously announced to the Traffic Bridge walkways and the CP Pedestrian Bridge, the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge walkway is now closed and the University Bridge walkways are now for one-way pedestrian traffic (one-side westbound and one-side eastbound). This will allow the practice of social/physical distancing of at least 2-metres (six feet) from others.

The City continues to review other bridge walkway and pedestrian overpasses, underpasses and tunnels. Crews will be posting signage on many of the pathways to remind people to respect social/physical distancing.

Zoo Season Pass Sales Temporarily Suspended

All 2020 Season Pass sales are temporarily suspended until further notice. Season Pass rates for 2020 will be re-evaluated once an opening date is determined. Refunds/credits will be available to customers who have already purchased a 2020 Zoo Season Pass. Details on the refund process will be available soon.

Thank you, Saskatoon for doing your part and maintaining physical distance to keep everyone safe.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19

We are constantly reassessing pandemic developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens. We have also continued to reassess the way we deliver public services following the decision to close City Hall and civic facilities.

“We have made the difficult decision to lay off a number of casual staff,” says City Manager Jeff Jorgenson. “Going forward there will be no scheduled hours. From our perspective, layoffs are an important step to enable staff, without any scheduled hours, the ability to access options such as employment insurance benefits as soon as possible.

“It gives the people affected some certainty as opposed to waiting indefinitely for us to be able to return to normal operations.”

Casual staff refers to employees whose hours are typically scheduled on a weekly to monthly basis, based on work need. Examples include lifeguards, cashier-receptionists, activity leaders and recreation technicians.

“For permanent staff, we are not looking at significant layoffs in the coming weeks.”

Jorgenson says citizens need City work to continue in the core services.

“Our people matter, and we must be financially responsible, especially now as many citizens and businesses are hurting and are directly affected by the pandemic.”

Jorgenson says the City’s approach is to continue with strategies that are, and will, keep the economy and as many services going as possible so that when we start returning to a more normal operating environment, the City is as far ahead as it possibly can be.

“Re-starting our economy on the other side of this pandemic will be paramount, and the City will play a major role in the coming months,” he says.

Residents asked to use Transit for essential travel only

To increase social distancing measures, Transit riders are asked to use the bus service only for essential travel.

When possible, those in a wheelchair are asked to use the rear facing wheelchair station and to buckle themselves in to ensure social distance from operators.

These changes are in addition to transit service reductions and the closure of many public facilities including schools.

Details on Transit’s reduced schedule can be found on Saskatoon Transit’s homepage.

Household Glass Program with SARCAN Temporarily Suspended 

SARCAN has made the decision to close locations across Saskatchewan indefinitely. This means the Household Glass Program will be suspend until locations re-open. During this time, residents are asked to avoid overfilling their Blue Cart/Bin and to hang on to their clean and dry recyclables until their next collection day.

Gordon Howe Campground Delays Opening

The City will temporarily suspend all visitor services at Gordon Howe Campground and will stop taking new reservations until May 1, 2020. The campground reopening will be subject to an assessment of the COVID-19 status. Further updates will be provided as they become available.

Building Permit Inspections

Building Permit Inspections have resumed and are now available, along with Plumbing Permit Inspections, via FaceTime and Skype video calls.

AMI Water Meters
Meter upgrade appointments are suspended until further notice. Learn more about the project at www.saskatoon.ca/watermeter.    

2020 Property Tax Financial Relief & Flexibility - Update
For citizens experiencing the effects of the economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is committed to providing increased flexibility and immediate short-term relief for your 2020 Property Tax payment.

The City is extending a three-month grace period to provide additional time to pay your 2020 Property Tax. You will not incur any late payment penalties on your 2020 Property Tax if you pay the full amount due by September 30, 2020.

Also, for TIPPS customers currently paying their 2020 Property Tax over 12-equal monthly installments, you may request to be removed from TIPPS at any time should you require immediate, short-term financial relief without incurring a penalty. Your full property tax amount will then be due September 30, 2020.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19 and at saskatoonpolice.ca

We are constantly reassessing pandemic developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens.  We have also continued to reassess the way we deliver public services to keep staff and residents safe when we are out in the community and in light of the decision to close City Hall and civic facilities.

Temporary changes to Saskatoon Pay Parking Zones

Effective immediately payment is no longer required in any City of Saskatoon designated pay parking zones in Saskatoon. In addition, motorists will not be required to adhere to posted time limits in these zones. This is to encourage residents to stay in place and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Important information:

• Parking lots operated by private operators are not exempted from pay parking unless otherwise indicated at the lot.
• FlexParking stations and the Way to Park app will be reprogrammed to indicate that payment is not required, however this may take some time. The City will not be able to reimburse payment to people who pay for parking while such work is being completed.

Public safety-related parking restrictions remain in effect to maintain emergency access and traffic flow including:

• No Stopping signs
• No Parking signs
• Accessible Parking signs
• Fire Hydrants   (maintain one metre from the centre of a fire hydrant)
• No parking within 10 metres of an intersection
• No parking in alleys unless active loading/unloading is taking place.

Transit

Saskatoon Transit Service will be modified effective Monday, as follows: 

• No university extras
• No high school extras
• Three (3) High Frequency Corridors (HFC) include the 8’s & 80’s (8^th Street), 60’s (22^nd Street) and 4’s & 40’s (University Heights)
  • will have 15 minute frequency Monday - Friday from start of day until approx. 7:00PM
  • after 7:00PM service will go to 30 minute frequency
  • will have 30 minute frequency Saturday & Sunday all day
• All other routes (excluding HFC)
  • will have 30 minute frequency from start of day until approximately 7:00PM
  • after 7:00PM service will go to 60 minute frequency
• Sunday service
  • HFC will have 30 minute frequency all day
  • All other routes will have 60 minute frequency
• Service may be added when possible to routes experiencing “full buses” and service may be removed from routes with empty buses, based on operational need

Transit will also monitor where full, standing room only buses are and try to put extra service onto those routes to enable people to maintain appropriate social distance. 

To assist with social distancing, Access Transit is scheduling direct trips as much as possible.

Waste Collections

A core service, waste collections continue as scheduled. During this time, residents are asked to help protect the health and safety of our staff and partners and reduce the spread of the virus by following these guidelines:

• Bag your garbage
• Ensure accessible cart placement (1.2 metres (4 feet) of unobstructed space on all sides) to avoid the need for drivers to handle the cart.
• Do NOT overfill carts or leave loose items on the ground
• Do NOT place used tissues and napkins in your cart or bin as they can become wind-blown when the lid opens during collection
• If you’re sick: place ANY item that has come into contact with your mouth, nose or eyes into your bagged garbage – even items that residents may normally place into your blue cart or bin (e.g. water/beverage bottles, pop cans, milk/juice cartons, etc.).

Landfill Payments

Beginning Monday, March 23, the City will stop accepting cash transactions at the Landfill to help reduce the spread of the virus.  Credit and debit card payments will remain available, as well as direct invoicing options for those haulers who have commercial accounts with the City.

Household Hazardous Waste Day

The upcoming Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) Drop-off Day scheduled for Sunday, April 5 has been cancelled. If residents have HHW material that must be dealt with urgently, and if the situation permits, residents can consult the Waste Wizard to find other means of safe disposal for this material. If residents intend on dropping off materials at businesses that accept HHW, please contact them first to ensure they are open and in a position to accept them.

Purchasing Services

Purchasing Services is now closed to the public, meaning the City will no longer accepting paper or hard copy bid submissions. Starting March 19, the City will be begin accepting email bid submissions. Email bid submissions must meet the requirements within the solicitation document.

Projects currently posted on SaskTenders will have specific instructions issued via Addenda and include information and directions for successful bid submission. 

Any new projects posted to SaskTenders by the City will have the updated bid submission requirements within the solicitation document.

Bylaw Court Closed

All City Bylaw matters set for Court will not be heard between March 23 and May 31. Defendants do not need to do anything at this time, and no convictions of defendants will occur during the Bylaw Court closure.

The City will be reviewing these matters and will contact defendants or publish a notice. For more information, contact the City Solicitor's Office directly at 306-975-3270 or by email at city.solicitor@saskatoon.ca.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19 and at saskatoonpolice.ca.

We are constantly reassessing pandemic developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens.  We have also continued to reassess the way we deliver public services to keep staff and residents safe when we are out in the community.

Transit fare suspension and rear door boarding effective Friday, March 20

To reduce the risk to Transit Operators during the COVID-19 pandemic, starting Friday, Saskatoon Transit will ask riders to get on and off buses by using the rear doors. Transit also reminds riders to keep a safe distance — at least one metre — from bus operators and fellow riders.

As a result, the City will also be suspending fares indefinitely.  The City will be determining how to compensate those affected by this and those details will be provided soon.

Anyone who requires personal mobility devices will be exempt from entering the rear doors and will be permitted to enter and exit through the front doors as usual.

Please note: all riders will be required to stay behind the front wheel wells and to keep the seats behind the operator free at all times. This measure will meet the new recommendation for social distancing released by the Province of Saskatchewan on Wednesday March 18.  Transit will also monitor where and when extra buses may need to be added onto routes to help people maintain appropriate social distance.

Saskatoon Transit is also reassuring customers of Transit’s daily cleaning protocols, which include regular hard surface wipe-downs with hospital-grade disinfectant and disinfectant misting treatments.

Parking Restrictions for Residential Parking Program Zones Suspended

Effective immediately parking restrictions for the Residential Parking Program zones are suspended until further notice.  In addition, overtime parking on all residential streets will no longer be enforced, to encourage residents to stay home and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Public safety-related parking restrictions remain in effect to maintain emergency access and traffic flow including:

• "No Stopping" signs
• "No Parking" signs
• "Accessible Parking" signs
• Fire Hydrants (maintain 1 metre from the centre of a fire hydrant)
• No parking within 10 metres of an intersection
• No parking in alleys unless active loading/unloading is taking place.

Further details on these parking restrictions are provided on the City of Saskatoon website: saskatoon.ca/moving-around/parking/understanding-parking-saskatoon

Building Standards

The decision to close City Hall to the public has a direct effect on the way we do business, including providing building inspections and permits:

• All building and plumbing inspections are suspended while the City explores options to provide inspections in a safe manner.
• Residential applications are limited to online.
• Property Information Disclosure (PID) applications accepted via building.standards@saskatoon.ca
• Plumbing permit applications accepted via plumbing.permits@saskatoon.ca
• Payments will be accepted via telephone at 306.975.2645.
• New commercial permit applications will not be accepted. The City is exploring opportunities to provide online access to this program.

As the situation is evolving, we will update the Building Standards webpages regularly if there are service limitations.

Questions? Reach out to our permit file support team by calling (306) 975-2645 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What is the City doing to provide financial relief for citizens?

To offer assistance and best service to citizens experiencing the effects of the economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is committed to providing increased flexibility and immediate short-term relief for your utility payments through the following changes:

Utility Services

We will continue to bill for utility services as normal.  However, to best serve the City’s customers in these extraordinary times, the City has made the following changes to current utility collections activities:

• Utility disconnections due to arrears will be suspended until September 30, 2020;
• Late payment charges will be suspended on all utility accounts until September 30, 2020; and
• We will continue to generate utility bill reminders and other related notices for customers who are in arrears to keep them informed of their current situation.

These measures are aimed at providing financial relief for customers who may not be able to afford to pay their bills on time.  By suspending late payment charges, utility customers will have the option to delay bill payments without putting themselves in additional financial hardship.  However, our staff will continue to work with the City’s utility customers regarding payment arrangements so as to not leave them in a difficult financial situation in the future.

Delaying disconnections will help ensure that all homes have access to water, allowing for proper handwashing and personal hygiene.

Have utility-related questions? Please call our Revenue Customer Service Representatives at 306-975-2400. We understand and will work with you.

2020 Property Taxes

Your 2020 Property Tax notice will be delivered by the end of May 2020.

To offer assistance and best service to citizens experiencing the effects of the economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is committed to providing increased flexibility and immediate short-term relief for your 2020 Property Tax payment. On your notice, your 2020 Property Tax due date will still show as June 30, 2020. However:

• The City is extending to you, a three-month grace period, allowing you additional time to pay your 2020 Property Tax amount due.
• You will not incur any penalties on your 2020 taxes if your property tax payment is made in full before September 30, 2020.

Have property tax-related questions? Please call our Revenue Customer Service Representatives at 306-975-2400. We understand and will work with you.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19 and at saskatoonpolice.ca

Saskatoon Transit runs every day, no matter the weather, no matter what. Transit operators are responsible for the safe transportation of thousands of our city’s citizens every day. Though we strive to recognize their work every day, we would like to take a moment TODAY, March 18 on Transit Driver Appreciation Day to salute all those at Saskatoon Transit who help us to provide public transportation each and every day. It takes the work of our maintenance teams, customer service, our team at Access Transit and all our office staff to deliver outstanding service to the citizens of Saskatoon. 

A number of years ago the Portland Oregon Transit Authority, TriMet, wanted to remind their customers about the job transit drivers do on the road serving customers every day. Following in their steps, other transit systems across North America joined in. Saskatoon Transit and Local 615, of the Amalgamated Transit Union, chose to join in 2017. Transit Driver Appreciation Day is held annually on the 18th of March or the closest weekday.  

Saskatoon Transit provides one million rides every month. “I am proud to celebrate the 400 members of the Saskatoon Transit team,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “I invite you to join me in thanking our operators, and any staff you see from Saskatoon Transit for the service they provide 365 days a year, rain, snow and during these difficult times.” 

Show your appreciation by thanking your driver, with appropriate social distancing, today! 

Saskatoon Transit runs every day, no matter the weather, no matter what. Transit operators are responsible for the safe transportation of thousands of our city’s citizens every day. Though we strive to recognize their work every day, we would like to take a moment TODAY, March 18 on Transit Driver Appreciation Day to salute all those at Saskatoon Transit who help us to provide public transportation each and every day. It takes the work of our maintenance teams, customer service, our team at Access Transit and all our office staff to deliver outstanding service to the citizens of Saskatoon. 

A number of years ago the Portland Oregon Transit Authority, TriMet, wanted to remind their customers about the job transit drivers do on the road serving customers every day. Following in their steps, other transit systems across North America joined in. Saskatoon Transit and Local 615, of the Amalgamated Transit Union, chose to join in 2017. Transit Driver Appreciation Day is held annually on the 18th of March or the closest weekday.  

Saskatoon Transit provides one million rides every month. “I am proud to celebrate the 400 members of the Saskatoon Transit team,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “I invite you to join me in thanking our operators, and any staff you see from Saskatoon Transit for the service they provide 365 days a year, rain, snow and during these difficult times.” 

Show your appreciation by thanking your driver, with appropriate social distancing, today! 

As Saskatoon Transit moves towards providing service that reflects the approved Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) lines (moving more routes onto Broadway Avenue) and to reduce congestion on the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge during rehabilitation, changes are being made to three routes as of March 29, 2020. 

Affected routes:

• Route 8 inbound and the 80‘s outbound will move off 8th Street/over Sid Buckwold Bridge onto Broadway Avenue.
• Route 1 and 6 will move off of Broadway Avenue onto 8th Street/over Sid Buckwold Bridge.

These service changes will allow for more convenience and a quicker commute for east side residents traveling to and from the downtown. Saskatoon Transit encourages everyone to check their route in advance to see how this will impact their commute and to plan their trip using the real-time mobile app Transit.

To learn more on the new routing and schedules, visit: saskatoontransit.ca, or call the Transit Customer Service Centr: 306.975.3100.  

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see the Saskatchewan Rush take on the Vancouver Warriors at SaskTel Centre on Saturday, March 7, is available at the following times: 

• 5:45 p.m. 
• 6:05 p.m. 
• 6:25 p.m. 
• 6:45 p.m. 
• ​7:05 p.m. 

Post event drop-off is the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Transfers and passes are also accepted.  

Plan your trip to events at SaskTel Centre on Route 333 using the mobile app called Transit up to two weeks in advance! Check out the Transit+ feature that helps you make connections that combine Transit with ridehail providers like riide and Uber. Transit does the work so you can travel with ease! Download the Transit app from the Apple Store or Google Play.  

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