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.  

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 Toronto Rock at SaskTel Centre on Saturday, February 29, 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. 
• 7:25 p.m. 

Dropoff at SaskTel Centre is at the front doors and post event drop-off is the downtown terminal. Regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip) and 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! Plus, Transit+ helps you make connections that combine Transit with ridehail providers like riide and Uber. Transit app 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 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.  

The closing of three Safeways (Confederation, 33rd Street, and Market Mall) will impact Transit customers who purchase their fare products at these locations.

Throughout the duration of the closures (6 months or longer), Transit customers are encouraged to purchase their fare products at any of the suggested locations:

• Saskatoon Transit Customer Service Centre – 226 23rd Street
• City Hall – 222 3rd Avenue North 
• Co-op on 33rd – 1628 33rd Street West
• Mac’s (Circle K) – 303 Confederation Drive
• Mac’s (Circle K) – 2302 33rd Street West
• Mayfair Drugs – 504 33rd Street West 
• Co-op Circle Centre – 3310 8th Street East
• Shoppers Drug Mart Circle Centre – 3310 8th Street East
• Nordon Drugs – 1610 Isabella Street

A complete and updated list of where to buy tickets is available at: SaskatoonTransit.ca/fares-passes/where-buy-tickets.

We appreciate your understanding. For customer inquiries, please contact our customer service representatives at 306.975.3100 or transit.services@saskatoon.ca.

“Lift each other up,” that’s the message Saskatoon Transit is supporting as it encourages residents and civic staff to look beyond our differences and celebrate the things that make us unique on Wednesday, February 26 and every day. 

To raise awareness of the initiative, Saskatoon Transit vehicles can be spotted around the city sporting pink t-shirt decals. The decals will stay up for the entire day. 

About Pink Shirt Day 
Inspired by an act of kindness in small-town Nova Scotia, Pink Shirt Day acts to raise awareness of bullying in schools, workplaces, homes and online, as well as raise funds to support programs that foster children’s healthy self-esteem. To learn more, visit: www.pinkshirtday.ca. 

Get Social 
If you see our fleet vehicles out with pink shirts, snap a picture and tag @stoontransit with #PinkShirtDay.  

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) for the RAM Motorsports Spectacular at SaskTel Centre on February 15 and 16 is available on the following dates and times:

February 15 - 2:00 p.m.    

• 1:15 p.m.
• 1:55 p.m.

February 15 – 7:30 p.m.

• 6:05 p.m.
• 6:45 p.m.
• 7:25 p.m.

February 16 - 2:00 p.m.    

• 1:15 p.m.
• 1:55 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! Plus, a new feature on the app called Transit+ 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 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.