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 San Diego Seals at SaskTel Centre on Friday, January 14, 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). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted.  
 
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 that helps 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.  
 
To protect the health and safety of residents, customers and employees, masks are required when traveling on Saskatoon Transit and when accessing indoor City-operated facilities and services as an added safety measure to address the increasing spread of COVID-19 in our community. 
 
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.  

The extended cold temperatures continue to cause shortages of buses and delays.  

Cold temperatures can cause the ‘check engine’ light to turn on and cause condensation in the air system which may freeze valves leading to suspension issues or frozen brakes. In either situation, to ensure buses are safe to operate, a mechanic must verify the condition of the bus or complete any repairs before it can return to the road.  

Before leaving to catch the bus, riders are encouraged to check for service alerts on the Transit app or Google Maps Transit on desktop. “Favourite” the routes taken most often in the Transit app to receive push notifications about service disruptions. Service alert information can also be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca on Twitter @stoontransit or by calling 306.975.3100. 

Saskatoon Transit thanks riders for their patience and understanding as we work through this period of cold weather.  

Saskatoon Transit runs every day, no matter the weather; however, the extended cold temperatures are causing shortages of buses and delays.

Cold temperatures can cause the ‘check engine’ light to turn on and cause condensation in the air system which may freeze valves leading to suspension issues or frozen brakes. In either situation, to ensure buses are safe to operate a mechanic must verify the condition of the bus or complete any repairs before it can return to the road.

Before leaving to catch the bus riders should check the for service alerts and the real-time bus information on the Transit  app or Google Maps Transit on desktop.  Riders are also encouraged to "favourite" the routes they take most often in the Transit app to receive push notifications about service disruptions.

At temperatures of -20C and below, buses do not kneel, however the ramp at the front can still be deployed. Riders should ask for it to be deployed should it be required.

Saskatoon Transit thanks riders for their patience and understanding as we work through this period of cold weather.

Once again, SGI and Saskatoon Transit have partnered to offer free late-night transit service on New Year’s Eve.

“Having free Transit service on New Year’s Eve removes any financial barrier to planning a safe ride home after a night out,” says Jim McDonald, Director, Saskatoon Transit. “We encourage everyone to plan their route before heading out using the real-time mobile app Transit.”   

Residents are encouraged to think about using a variety of transportation modes on busy nights like New Year’s Eve. Multi-modal options are available on the Transit app. You can plan your trip taking the bus out of the downtown or busy areas and book your ride share for the short distance home all from inside the app. Transit+ seamlessly integrates a Riide vehicle with a transit connection, hailing a Riide to connect your bus journey with a vehicle for hire.

By combining modes of transportation residents can minimize wait times and costs.

Free bus service will be available on Friday, December 31, from 7:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. on January 1 (times may vary slightly by route).

Masks are required on Transit. Click here for more information on current health and safety measures in place on Saskatoon Transit.

For a transit schedule go to SaskatoonTranist.ca/route-and-schedules, use the transit app or call 306.975.3100 for help with trip planning.

“I can’t stress this enough: plan for a safe ride home. There is no reason for impaired driving, especially on New Year’s Eve,” McDonald says. “We are thankful to have SGI as a partner in providing free transit service on New Year’s Eve.”

Access Transit is free for registered customers as well but must be reserved.

The City of Saskatoon will have a number of adjusted civic services and hours of operation over the holidays. Wondering what’s open or closed? See full details on the City’s website.

Effective Sunday, January 2, 2022, adjustments will be made to Saskatoon Transit routes 6 and 83.  

Transit customers are encouraged to learn about the route changes by going to the website, calling the Transit Customer Service Centre at 306-975-3100 or using the transit app to plan their trip. Details will also be available on postcards at the Customer Service Centre in the downtown terminal. 

Please note, bus signs will be changed in advance. 

Riders are encouraged to plan their trip in advance and review the updated schedules before travelling. Also, riders are encouraged to mark the routes they use the most as a favourite in the transit app to get push notifications of service alerts. 

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 Calgary Roughnecks at SaskTel Centre on Saturday, December 11, is available at the following times: 

• 6:15 p.m.  
• 6:35 p.m.  
• 6:55 p.m. 
• 7:15 p.m.  
• 7:35 p.m. 

Post event drop-off is 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.  
 
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 that helps 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.  
 
To protect the health and safety of residents, customers and employees, masks are required when traveling on Saskatoon Transit and when accessing indoor City-operated facilities and services as an added safety measure to address the increasing spread of COVID-19 in our community. 
 
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.

Hop on board Route 1225, the Jingle Bell Express and experience the convenience of shopping this holiday season via Transit! 

The 2021 Jingle Bell Express is Saskatoon Transit’s 5th annual holiday shopping bus route. It runs from December 6-23, and then again with free service on Boxing Day (December 26). This route stops at Midtown, Centre, Market, Confederation, and Lawson Heights malls providing riders with a great shopping experience! 

“The Jingle Bell Express removes the hassle of driving, while providing riders with access to malls they may not otherwise visit,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “Regular fares apply except on Boxing Day when the Jingle Bell Express is free.” 

The Jingle Bell Express will be available weekdays from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and weekends from 10:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. On Boxing Day, the Jingle Bell Express will operate as a free service between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. This holiday bus route is decorated and plays Christmas music to get you in the holiday spirit.    

Masks are required on all transit buses.  Use the Transit App or Google Maps Transit to plan a trip, or consult the route schedule on Transit’s website. 

Jingle Bell Express riders who complete a short survey will be in for a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards sponsored by the participating malls. 

Get your ‘shop on’ and hop on the Jingle Bell Express!  

On Monday, December 6, 2021 flags at all City facilities will be lowered for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The Day of Remembrance is an opportunity for Canadians to remember all women and girls who have died as a result of violence.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women was established in 1991 by the federal government, choosing December 6th to mark the anniversary of the deaths of 14 women killed at l’Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal in 1989.

Saskatoon City Council last night concluded its budget review and discussions to approve the 2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget. The City thanks all residents, organizations and business owners in Saskatoon who wrote in or spoke to City Council this week or in the weeks leading up to budget review.

Debating an extensive list of operating and capital budget options and scenarios to shortlist and consider, Council approved property tax increases of 3.86% and 3.53%. The approved municipal property tax increases will generate an additional $10,298,400 million in 2022 and $9,918,600 million in 2023.

In general terms, a homeowner with a single-family detached home with an average assessed value of $344,000 would have a municipal property tax increase of $74.04 in 2022 or $6.17 per month, and $70.43 in 2023 or $5.87 per month.

“This was one of the toughest budgets we have faced given the pressures of COVID and some of the issues we need to tackle to ensure the well-being of our residents today and into the future," said Mayor Clark. "This budget keeps our tax rate lower than the average over the last ten years while making key investments to support our recovery and ensure we will be a competitive and resilient city in a changing world. We are proud to still have one of the most competitive commercial property tax levies as reinforced by C.D. Howe last year.”

Investment decisions over 2022 and 2023 support our growing and increasingly diverse city and include: 

• new transit service to North Kensington and Aspen Ridge,
• public engagement enhancement,
• Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion programs and initiatives – including the Office of the Representative of the Matriarchs and IWG2S Women’s Centre,
• an additional Fire Bylaw Inspector,
• graffiti management,
• the urban forest and pest management,
• climate adaptation and green infrastructure advancement, and
• recreation and sport improvements.

“City Council adjusted and debated to arrive at a budget that continues to support the key civic services citizens expect, and balances addressing strategic priorities for the City,” says Jeff Jorgenson, City Manager.

“The Administration will now work hard to execute the direction of City Council and deliver the quality services and programs to the public we proudly serve,” Jorgenson adds. “There are ambitious cost-saving and service improvement expectations included in this budget, and we will do everything in our power to meet or exceed those expectations as our community recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This multi-year budget takes us forward having set a new standard for transparency.”

Weighing decisions against the vision of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, the finalized 2022 and 2023 budgets support continued financial recovery for the City, promote growth for the community, and maintain quality of life and the needed momentum to keep the City moving forward sustainably.

Investing in Public Safety and Protection

City Council approved the Saskatoon Police Service budget which included resources to address the growth of the City and increase in calls for service with the addition of eight new Patrol Constables in 2022 and four Patrol Constables in 2023.

In addition, six positions were approved for 2022 to address items such as Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy requests (FOIP), technological crimes, Audio Video (AV) disclosures, investigations and major crimes were also included in the approved budget. The 2023 budget also includes four additional positions to address FOIP, AV disclosures, and investigations.

For the Saskatoon Fire Department, City Council invested $2.3 million in Next Generation 9-1-1 technology to enhance its Communications Centre. Council made further investments to replace major apparatus within the fleet, equipment, small vehicles, and uniform purchases total $4.4 million over 2022 and 2023. Additional positions for firefighters were approved to support better response times for Saskatoon’s growing neighbourhoods, along with Fire Bylaw Inspectors as a proactive approach to property maintenance inspections. 

COVID-19 IMPACT

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic generates a high degree of uncertainty for fiscal planning. The City is estimating that the COVID-19 impact will be $13.85 million in 2022 and $10.02 million in 2023. These impacts are offset by one-time reallocated funding and do not affect the approved municipal property tax increases. 

Notable Capital Investments Include:

• $33.9 million in 2022 and $24.7 million in 2023 for upgrades and maintenance to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• $41.2 million in 2022 and $52.0 million in 2023 for upgrades and maintenance to the Water Treatment Plant.
• $32.0 million in 2022 and $33.0 million in 2023 for paved roadway and sidewalk preservation.
• $10.5 million in 2022 and $46.3 million in 2023 for the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit system (contingent on ICIP Government Funding).
• $2.64 million in 2022 for Transit and Access Transit Bus Replacement.

Utility fees in 2022 and 2023 for water and wastewater usage include an overall average increase of 2.5% and 3.4% respectively, resulting in an additional $3.25 per month in 2022 and $4.63 per month in 2023 for the average homeowner.

Indoor Leisure Centre admission rates will increase by 2% in 2022 and 2023.  As an example, adult General Admission will increase from $9.80 to $10.00 in 2022 and $10.25 in 2023. The adult Monthly LeisureCard will increase from $50.00 to $51.00 in 2022 and $52.00 in 2023. 

In 2022, City Council will have the flexibility to make any necessary budgetary corrections for events or circumstances requiring funding or resource adjustments.

The City’s second Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget for 2022 and 2023 supports the City’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan’s vision, and investments in the priorities and services that matter most to citizens, ensuring Saskatoon continues to be a great place to live, work, learn and play.

The finalized 2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget document will be made available on saskatoon.ca/budget as soon as it is available.