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New battery-electric buses charge into Saskatoon Transit fleet

July 25, 2024 - 1:00 pm

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Saskatoon Transit is excited to announce the addition of two new Nova LFSe+ battery-electric buses to its public transit fleet, the first in Saskatchewan. This marks a significant milestone in the City of Saskatoon’s commitment to sustainable public transportation and environmental leadership.

Saskatoon Transit piloted a battery-electric bus over a 12-month period beginning in July 2020. This pilot project aimed to evaluate the performance and feasibility of battery-electric buses in Saskatoon’s climate, providing key data to inform future investments in battery-electric buses.

Building on the pilot project's success, City Council approved an initial investment in battery-electric buses in December 2021 as part of the broader $115.4 million revised 2023-2031 fleet renewal strategy.

“This is an exciting step toward building a transit fleet that meets current and future ridership demands and our long-term sustainability goals,” says Michael Moellenbeck, Director of Saskatoon Transit.

Transitioning to battery-electric buses is progress towards meeting the City’s targets outlined in the Low Emissions Community Plan and Climate Action Plan, which include target emission reductions of 55,000 tonnes CO2e by 2050 and an increase in transit trips of 5% by 2030 and 10% by 2050.

"Access to safe and efficient public transportation is an effective way to cut greenhouse gas emissions, and these battery-electric buses are an example of how we can reach environmental targets and provide a cleaner option for Saskatoon,” Moellenbeck says.

Watch for a new battery-electric bus on a nearby route. Experience the benefits firsthand as Saskatoon Transit drives towards a greener, more efficient public transportation network.

For more information about Saskatoon Transit, visit saskatoontransit.ca.

Saskatoon Transit employee videos deliver messages asking for respect and understanding from customers 

July 23, 2024 - 11:02 am

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Saskatoon Transit and Amalgamated Transit Union Local 615 released videos featuring frontline employees sharing their experience working in public transit and a message for residents and customers. When people watch their stories, we hope they will recognize them as individuals who deserve empathy and respect so they can do their jobs and get home safely at the end of their day.  

Bus operators, supervisors and customer service employees have been exposed to more aggressive and violent incidents since the spring. Every employee deserves to feel safe at work and Saskatoon Transit is actively taking measures to provide a safe environment for frontline employees and customers. 

The campaign is one of the initiatives in Saskatoon Transit’s frontline employee and customer safety plan that was rolled out in mid-June to reduce negative interactions for our frontline employees and customers.   

The series includes Saskatoon Transit bus operators Stevie and David, customer service representative Manisha and operations supervisor Noureddine. Watch the videos at transit.saskatoon.ca/TransitSafety.   

 

Saskatoon Transit phone lines restored; Leisure Centres and Outdoor Pools phone lines impacted

July 19, 2024 - 5:37 pm

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The City is actively working with supporting teams to resolve disruptions caused by a widespread global IT outage that affected some applications.

Some Saskatoon Transit and some Access Transit services have now been restored.

Restored Services:

  • Incoming phone lines for Saskatoon Transit and Access Transit.
  • Mobile ticketing purchases in the Transit and TGo apps.

Disruptions remain for the following services:

  • Real-time bus location updates on the Transit app and other trip-planning apps.
  • Service alerts for Saskatoon Transit detours and interruptions.
  • Leisure Centres and Outdoor Pools incoming phones lines which has been determined to be a separate issue from the global IT system outage. For program times and hours of operations, visit Leisure Online at saskatoon.ca/leisureonline.

Your patience is appreciated as we work on resolving these issues. A further update will be provided as systems are restored.

Saskatoon Transit and Access Transit working to resolve phone line disruptions; mobile ticketing and real-time bus locations unavailable

July 19, 2024 - 10:36 am

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Saskatoon Transit and Access Transit are actively working with supporting teams to resolve disruptions caused by a widespread Microsoft system outage that has affected internal software.

Saskatoon Transit disruptions:

  • Incoming phone lines.
  • Real-time bus location updates on Transit and other trip-planning apps.
  • Service alerts for detours or service interruptions.
  • Mobile ticketing purchases are intermittently unavailable in the Transit and TGo apps. Fares already purchased in the apps remain available for use.
    • The OnDemand Transit app remains unaffected.
  • The Customer Service Centre is experiencing a high volume of inquiries. Customers can contact the Saskatoon Transit Customer Service team via email at transit.services@saskatoon.ca.

Access Transit disruptions:

  • Incoming phone lines
  • Customers can connect with the Access Transit team via email at accesstransit@saskatoon.ca.

Despite these disruptions, the downtown Customer Service Centre remains open for physical ticket purchases.

Your patience is appreciated as this is resolved.

Transit and Access Transit experiencing phone line disruption

July 19, 2024 - 7:34 am

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Saskatoon Transit and Access Transit are experiencing phoneline disruptions due to a widespread and known Microsoft system outage. 

Access Transit

  • Cannot receive incoming phone calls. Outgoing calls have not been affected.
  • Customers can connect with the Access Transit team via email (accesstransit@saskatoon.ca ). 

Transit

  • Cannot receive incoming phone calls.
  • Realtime bus locations are unavailable.
  • Service alerts cannot be pushed to the app.

Supporting teams are aware of this issue and are working to resolve it. Your patience is appreciated. 

“Link” proposed Bus Rapid Transit name and brand

July 10, 2024 - 4:55 pm

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Following extensive planning and careful consideration, City officials have proposed the name “Link” to be used for the branding and marketing of the new Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system. This new bus service will fall under the master brand of Saskatoon Transit, but it will have its own visual identity to reflect the unique service while complementing the master brand. 

Research on BRT systems in cities across North America shows early introduction and adoption of a BRT system brand identity is essential to the success of the new transit service. A report will be presented July 17 to the Governance and Priorities Committee of City Council seeking approval for the new Saskatoon Transit BRT brand name and visual identity. 

City Administration worked with Entro, a global firm with specialized knowledge in this field, on brand development for the BRT. A comprehensive eight-step process guided the identification of a brand name and visual identity. Steps included a brand and site audit, stakeholder research, visioning, naming, brand development and validation, visual language, and guidelines.  

The proposed “Link” brand will refer exclusively to the rapid transit lines (routes) currently identified as the red, green, and blue lines. 

Through naming workshops and discussions held with the public and key groups/organizations in Saskatoon, the name was associated with words such as connectivity, welcoming, accessible, reliable, modern and clear/straightforward. Participants also identified that the name embodied concepts of connection, speed and network and was timeless and easy to understand. 

If approved by City Council, work on the Link brand, marketing and wayfinding signage will continue over the coming months. This will involve the implementation of a communications and marketing plan aimed to increase community awareness of the new brand name. Communications will be focused on informing the public before there are construction impacts and provide education on the new future transit service. 

With the final BRT funding announcement from the Investing in Canada’s Infrastructure Program (ICIP) on June 28, the project can now proceed to the detailed design, procurement and construction phases. The City has retained engineering and consulting firm CIMA+ to complete detailed designs and assist in the tendering and management of construction contracts.   

Construction of part of the transit signal priority (TSP) system and the start of construction of 14 of the BRT stations’ concrete platforms is expected to begin this summer. This work will continue with another 30 stations in 2025.  

Engagement activities have been ongoing over the last few years on streetscaping design elements, public art components, station design, feeder routes and other project features, and will continue until the system is launched. 

For more information on the project, visit saskatoon.ca/brt

Bus service to Rattlers vs Stingers

July 18, 2024 - 6:00 am

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Direct service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see the Saskatchewan Rattlers take on the Edmonton Stingers at SaskTel Centre on Thursday, July 18 at 7:30 p.m., is available at the following times:

  • 6:15 p.m.
  • 6:55 p.m.

Post-event drop-off is at the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted. Typically, buses arrive onsite 30 minutes prior to the end of the event.

Plan your trip to events at SaskTel Centre on Route 333 using the Transit app up to two weeks in advance. Check out the Transit+ feature to help make connections that combine Transit with OnDemand Transit, riide, and Uber. 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.

Special event bus service to SaskTel Centre this weekend

July 11, 2024 - 6:00 am

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Direct service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see the Saskatchewan Rattlers take on the Winnipeg Sea Bears at SaskTel Centre on Thursday, July 11 at 7:30 p.m., is available at the following times:

  • 6:15 p.m.
  • 6:55 p.m.

Direct service from the Special Events Stop to see the Saskatchewan Rattlers take on the Calgary Surge at SaskTel Centre on Sunday, July 14 at 4:00 p.m., is available at the following times:

  • 2:45 p.m.
  • 3:25 p.m.

Post-event drop-off is at the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted. Typically, buses arrive onsite 30 minutes prior to the end of the event.

Plan your trip to events at SaskTel Centre on Route 333 using the Transit app up to two weeks in advance. Check out the Transit+ feature to help make connections that combine Transit with OnDemand Transit, riide, and Uber. 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.

Bus service to Rattlers vs Shooting Stars

July 5, 2024 - 6:00 am

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Direct service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see the Saskatchewan Rattlers take on the Scarborough Shooting Stars at SaskTel Centre on Friday, July 5 at 7:30 p.m., is available at the following times:

  • 6:15 p.m.
  • 6:55 p.m.

Post-event drop-off is at the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted. Typically, buses arrive onsite 30 minutes prior to the end of the event.

Plan your trip to events at SaskTel Centre on Route 333 using the Transit app up to two weeks in advance. Check out the Transit+ feature to help make connections that combine Transit with OnDemand Transit, riide, and Uber. 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.

Getting around for Canada Day Celebrations: free Saskatoon Transit service after fireworks

June 27, 2024 - 2:00 pm

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Skip the hassle of traffic and parking and make first- and last-mile connections with Saskatoon Transit for the downtown Canada Day celebrations.

Saskatoon Transit will run regular holiday service until 9 p.m. (normal fares apply) on July 1.

After the fireworks, free buses will leave from locations on either side of the river–3rd Avenue northbound/north of 19th Street; and Broadway Avenue southbound/south of 12th Street. View the Canada Day 2024 special event bus map.

All Access Transit pickups and drop-offs for the event will be at the temporary stop on 2nd Avenue just north of the Alt Hotel. Access Transit operates until 11 p.m. for customers. Per normal booking procedures, trips must be booked in advance, and subscriptions do not apply on statutory holidays.

Plan your trip before heading out using real-time apps such as Transit or Google Maps Transit.

For Saskatoon Transit information, visit SaskatoonTransit.ca, or contact Customer Service at 306.975.3100 or transit.services@saskatoon.ca.