High winds and combination of rain and then blowing snow are causing slight snow accumulation, icy conditions on roadways, bridges, intersections and sidewalks, and reduced visibility around the city. Crews are clearing snow off Circle Drive and other expressways, at locations where snow has drifted onto the roadway, monitoring high traffic roads, and applying de-icing material as required. For the most up-to-date weather forecast for Saskatoon, please visit Environment Canada. 

Saskatoon residents should note the following during this weather event:  

• If possible, stay off the roads when poor conditions are forecast or underway.  
• Drivers that do venture out should be prepared for icy roads, snow accumulation and reduced visibility due to blowing snow and drifting. A reminder to keep an eye out for snow equipment – stay at least 2-3 vehicle lengths behind and be prepared to stop quickly.  
• Wet and blowing snow can cover traffic signals and road signs. Stay aware at intersections and, when safe to do so, covered traffic lights and road signs should be reported to the City’s 24/7 Customer Care Centre at 306-975-2476 or customercare@saskatoon.ca.  

Saskatoon Light & Power staff are dealing with service interruptions and issues as they occur. Service Alerts with regular updates will also be issued when outages occur.  

Saskatoon Transit continues regular service, however, may be affected by any changes in weather. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information is available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop. 

The City Landfill is temporarily closed to the public due to reduced visibility and blowing debris. Curbside waste collections will continue as scheduled or until further notice. Residents are reminded to store their waste carts as soon as possible after collection to avoid tipped carts and wind-blown litter. Further updates will be made available at saskatoon.ca/waste. 

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo is closed due to inclement weather. The Zoo is expected to re-open at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 30. 

A combination of freezing rain, snow, and strong winds can result in tree branch failure. To report storm damaged trees please call Urban Forestry at 306-975-2890 (Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.) or the 24-hour Customer Service Centre at 306-975-2476 (after hours and weekends). For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/treeinspections.  

The flags at Saskatoon civic buildings have been lowered today to mark one year since the first case of COVID-19 was identified in Saskatchewan. Flags will remain at half-mast through the weekend.

“The impact of COVID-19 on our community has been profound. Our lives have all changed dramatically in this past year, since the first case was found in our province on March 12,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.

“Since then, 401 Saskatchewan lives have been lost and this has had a tremendous toll on families. Essential services workers have stepped up heroically to keep our city running and worked tirelessly to keep us safe.

“Today, and over the weekend, is a chance for us all to remember those whose lives have been lost and to show gratitude for all of the sacrifice and service through this very challenging year.”

On this day and every day, Saskatoon Transit asks the community to “lift each other up” and work together to treat others with dignity and respect.  

Today, February 24, is Pink Shirt Day. In support of this global kindness movement, 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 on Twitter. 

On February 24, 2021, we encourage everyone to practice kindness and wear pink to symbolize that you do not tolerate bullying.  

Saskatoon Transit is upholding the annual tradition of celebrating kindness. Even the smallest acts can change a life. Random Acts of Kindness Week is February 14 – 20, 2021. It is a time to celebrate the kindness in our community. 

Saskatoon Transit, in partnership with the Saskatoon Media Group, has created a background in the downtown transit terminal to remind people to Be the “I” in KIND. People are encouraged to share their pictures from in front of the background with the hashtag #RAKYXE and tag @stoontransit on Twitter. 

If you can’t get downtown to see the background, get creative and make your own and share with the hashtag #RAKYXE.  For more ideas on how to spread kindness go to RandomActsOfKindness.org. 

Please join the community and participate in Random Acts of Kindness Week! When we tune into the kindness happening around us, the day seems a little bit brighter. 

Saskatoon Transit runs every day, no matter the weather. At temperatures of -20°C and below, buses do not kneel, however the ramp at the front can still be deployed.  

Saskatoon Transit continues its ongoing commitment to the safety of all citizens with the Safe Bus Program. As this period of extreme cold continues, remember that all Transit operators have a direct line to emergency services.  

If you need immediate shelter or emergency services, flag down a bus or go to a parked bus and the operator will give you a safe place to wait. There is no fee for using the Safe Bus. 

To safely flag down a bus, stand at a stop or on a sidewalk and hold your hand in the air, palm facing out. Never step into a roadway to flag down a bus.  

Saskatoon Transit is there for citizens 365 days a year. Stay safe all year long with Safe Bus. 

Saskatoon Transit will be donating unclaimed lost and found clothing to Village Green Thrift Shop, a non-profit shop who will make them available to those in need. Village Green puts out clothes on certain evenings when the weather is cold for those in need to help themselves. Due to COVID-19 they follow the guidelines and quarantine everything for 24 hours before items are sold or given away. 

Saskatoon Transit Customer Service holds items in the lost and found for 90 days. To inquire about a lost item, call the Transit Customer Service Centre at 306.975.3100 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to see if your lost item was found. Proof of ownership will be required to obtain lost items.  

If passengers find something of value on the bus, they are encouraged to give it to the operator who will take it to the Customer Service Office otherwise the utility staff will get it at the end of the day. For more information on Saskatoon Transit’s Lost and Found Policy please visit: SaskatoonTransit.ca/lost-found. 

A Saskatoon Access Transit bus and a Canadian Pacific Train collided around 7:45 a.m. this morning at a crossing on 20^th Street West; Access Transit is grateful there are no reported injuries.

The operator had parked near Station 20 West to help a passenger off. Another passenger remained on the bus.

Saskatoon Fire dispatched two engines to the scene and upon arrival firefighter paramedics helped to assist transferring the remaining passenger to hospital as a precaution. While the internal investigation is underway by Transit supervisors, it appears the bus had been parked too close to the railroad tracks.

Shortly after 9:00 a.m. rail officials reported the train was assessed and was safe to continue its trip.

The City is preparing to adjust its winter maintenance operations in the coming days in response to a weather advisory issued for Saskatoon. Strong to severe winds are forecast for Wednesday and Thursday along with mixed precipitation that might include rain showers, freezing rain and snow. 

If Saskatoon receives this weather, road crews will respond as follows: 

• As usual, the initial response will focus on treating priority (highest traffic) streets and access to emergency services. Intersections, bridges and school zones are also high priority. 
• Sanding and salting will be carried out as needed. Crews are prepared with 15 graders, 10 front plows with sanders, 4 underbelly plows, 20 sanders and 11 sidewalk plows and numerous other pieces of equipment such as loaders, dozers and snow blowers. 
• Liquid de-icer will also be applied, which helps melt ice and keep sand and salt from blowing off roads.  
• Snowplows and graders will be out to move snow off roadways if accumulation or drifting becomes an issue. 
• City crews that are currently assigned to residential and priority street snow removal will be redirected as needed. 

Saskatoon residents should note the following during this weather event: 

• If possible, stay off the roads when poor conditions are forecast or underway. 
• Drivers that do venture out should be prepared for icy roads, snow accumulation and reduced visibility due to blowing snow and drifting. A reminder to keep an eye out for snow equipment – stay at least 2-3 vehicle lengths behind and be prepared to stop quickly. 
• Wet and blowing snow can cover traffic signals and road signs. Stay aware at intersections and, when safe to do so, covered traffic lights and road signs should be reported to the City’s 24/7 Customer Care Centre at 306-975-2476 or customercare@saskatoon.ca. 

Saskatoon Light & Power  

Freezing rain and snow may also affect electrical service. Saskatoon Light & Power staff are ready and prepared for any service interruptions and will deal with any issues as they arise. Service Alerts with regular updates will be issued if outages occur.  

Saskatoon Transit  

Transit service will be operating as regularly scheduled. Customers may experience delays due to winter driving conditions. Transit service alerts, real-time bus locations, and arrivals are available on third party apps like Transit or Google Maps Transit on desktop.  

Parks & Urban Forestry  

A combination of freezing rain, snow, and strong winds can result in tree branch failure.  To report storm damaged trees please call Urban Forestry at 306-975-2890 (Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m.) or the 24-hour Customer Service Centre at 306-975-2476 (after hours and weekends). For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/treeinspections 

For more information on the City’s winter operations visit saskatoon.ca/snow. 

Please continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather send an email to SKstorm@canada.ca. On Twitter follow #skstorm 

Saskatoon Transit encourages shoppers to hop on board Route 1225, the Jingle Bell Express and experience the convenience of shopping via transit. 

The Jingle Bell Express is Saskatoon Transit’s annual holiday shopping bus route. It runs from December 5th to the 23rd and again with free service on Boxing Day. This route stops at Midtown, Centre, Market, Confederation, and Lawson Heights malls every half hour, 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. For a virtual walk-through of the Jingle Bell bus, visit: https://youtu.be/X6FrrW3Uvfk.    

Everyone is reminded that masks are required on all transit buses and are encouraged to use the Transit App or Google Maps Transit to plan their trip, or consult the route schedule on Transit’s website. 

Jingle Bell Express riders can complete a short survey 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!  

With a significant reduction in charter requests over the last several years being further exacerbated by the effects and restrictions of COVID-19, Saskatoon Transit will no longer be providing charter services as of Tuesday, December 1.

As of Tuesday, December 1, Saskatoon Transit will not be accepting charter inquiries by phone, email or online.

Saskatoon Transit appreciates the support from charter customers over the years and thanks them for their understanding.

Contact Saskatoon Transit Customer Service at 306-975-3100 with any questions.