When classes resume in September, Saskatoon Transit wants customers to know that buses will be busy and some buses during morning and afternoon rush hours may be too full to take on more passengers. If you plan to take the bus during morning or afternoon rush hour peak times, please plan ahead to avoid delays that can happen with peak riding times.

Trips on routes in all areas of the city can fill up; however, it’s typically felt on routes to and from high schools and post-secondary schools in the morning and afternoon. This was an issue during the previous school year and ridership is expected to be higher this fall, exacerbating the overcapacity issue.

“Saskatoon Transit is gearing up for its busiest season as students head back to class. Unfortunately, the demand is here faster than the new buses on order, so we expect buses to be very full with limited extra buses to add to service,” says Mike Moellenbeck, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “We apologize to customers who are affected and are committed to addressing the overcapacity routes as best we can with the limited options.”

All available buses are on the road and there may not be enough to meet the frequency or capacity needed on some routes to take everyone at peak times. The eight new buses arriving at the end of the year will help with some of the issues and Saskatoon Transit will be in a good position to meet the demand by the end of 2025 when the next order of 20 buses arrives.  

Where someone with a car may leave earlier to avoid rush-hour traffic, someone using public transit  may want to consider taking an earlier bus if possible, to avoid delays that can happen with everyone trying to get to work and school at the same time," Moellenbeck adds.

September is a busy time for Saskatoon Transit. “Be bus ready” for back-to-school and follow these tips for taking transit this September:

1. Download the real-time mobile app Transit or Google Maps and plan your September trips with the new fall schedule.
2. Check on options for routes, stops and times to get to your destination. If possible, an earlier bus might help avoid delays that can happen with peak riding times.
3. Be ready to hop on when the bus comes with your pass ready to scan. All riders are expected to pay bus fare.
4. Make space for others: Move to the back of the bus and lower your backpack.
5. If you can stand, please offer your seat to someone who isn’t as steady.

A 10-year fleet renewal funding plan was approved in 2023 to increase and improve the reliability of the fleet. Eight new buses will arrive this winter and another 20 are expected by the end of 2025, as the lead time on bus delivery can be up to 18 months. Saskatoon Transit made several changes to operations and maintenance to improve the overall service delivery following a 2022 City Auditor review.

Saskatoon Transit ridership continues to grow and is anticipated to match or surpass the 2019 peak of 13.2 million rides in 2024. Year-to-date ridership at July 31, 2024 is approximately 18% higher than July 31, 2023 year-to-date ridership.

Every year, Saskatoon Transit partners with Saskatoon Folkfest to provide free transit service for ePassport holders. This year, the event runs from August 15 to 17. To enjoy free service, simply show a Folkfest ePassport or wristband to the bus operator when boarding.

For convenient travel, hop on Route 150. Service starts 20 minutes before Folkfest opening and connects to all pavilions every 20 minutes.

The Folkfest Bus Terminal serves as the main transfer point for Route 150 and is located on the south side of 23rd Street, facing east in front of the Francis Morrison Library. Additionally, routes 1 and 19 provide service to Prairieland Park, offering another easy option for Folkfest explorers.

Folkfest Transit Service Hours:  

• Thursday, August 15 from 4:40 p.m. to 12:20 a.m.  
• Friday, August 16 from 4:40 p.m. to 12:20 a.m.  
• Saturday, August 17 from 2:40 p.m. to 12:20 a.m.  

Avoid the traffic and parking–celebrate culture and community by taking Saskatoon Transit!
Plan trips using the real-time mobile app Transit or Google Maps. Multi-modal options are available in the Transit app to seamlessly integrate trips with active transportation, OnDemand Transit, riide or Uber using the Transit+ feature. By combining transportation modes, wait times and costs can be minimized.

For more information, visit SaskatoonTransit.ca. 

Have questions? Contact Transit Customer Service at 306-975-3100 or transit.services@saskatoon.ca.  

Saskatoon Transit has again partnered with the Saskatoon EX to offer free Transit service for Superpass holders to Prarieland Park from August 6 to 11. Riders looking to take the bus simply need to show the bus operator their Superpass or wristband when boarding for a free ride.

Children 10 and under ride free on Wednesday, August 7, and older adults (65+) ride free on Thursday, August 8, without a Superpass. 

Service on Sunday night will be extended with three special service routes from the Exhibition loop on the west side of Lorne Avenue, just south of Ruth Street. The additional service on Sunday night allows people to leave the event even after regular service is over. Regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip) and can be purchased on mobile phones using the TGo or transit app. Transfers and passes are also accepted. Sunday night service will not be visible on trip planning apps.

• Bus #1 – to Downtown & Lawson Mall at 9:30pm, 10:15pm, 11 pm & 11:45pm  
• Bus #2 – to Market Mall, Centre Mall & University Heights at 9:45pm, 10:30pm & 11:15pm 
• Bus #3 – to Confederation & Downtown at 9:15pm, 10 pm, 10:45pm & 11:30pm 

Skip the parking fees and traffic jams by taking Saskatoon Transit. Plan trips to the Saskatoon Ex, in the real-time mobile app Transit or Google Maps Transit. Multi-modal options are available in the Transit app to seamlessly integrate trips with active transportation, OnDemand Transit, riide or Uber using the Transit+ feature. By combining transportation modes, wait times and costs can be minimized.

Have questions? Contact Transit Customer Service at 306-975-3100 or transit.services@saskatoon.ca.  

Direct bus service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to Cody Johnson: The Leather Tour at SaskTel Centre on Saturday, August 3 at 7:30 p.m., is available at the following times:

• 6:10 p.m.
• 6:30 p.m.
• 6:50 p.m.
• 7:10 p.m.

Service to the Billy Idol: Rebel Yell Tour on Monday, August 5 at 8:00 p.m., is available at the following times:

• 6:45 p.m.
• 7:25 p.m.

Post-event drop-off is at the downtown terminal. Buses typically arrive 30 minutes before the event ends.

Regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip) and can be purchased on mobile phones using the TGo or transit app. Transfers and passes are also accepted.

Plan trips to events at SaskTel Centre, using Route 333, in the real-time mobile app Transit or Google Maps Transit up to two weeks in advance. Multi-modal options are available in the Transit app to seamlessly integrate trips with active transportation, OnDemand Transit, riide or Uber using the Transit+ feature. By combining transportation modes, wait times and costs can be minimized.

Visit SaskatoonTransit.ca to stay updated on transit services to SaskTel Centre and other popular destinations.

The City of Saskatoon will have several adjusted civic services and holiday hours of operation on the civic holiday, Saskatchewan Day, Monday, August 5.

Find out parking requirements, what's open or closed, holiday operating schedules for Leisure Centres, outdoor pools,  Saskatoon Transit/Access Transit, Saskatoon Public Library locations, Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, Remai Modern, waste collection schedules and much more here.

The City of Saskatoon hopes everyone enjoys a relaxing and safe holiday long weekend.

Visit saskatoon.ca to learn more about the City of Saskatoon's many programs and services.

The City of Saskatoon will have several adjusted civic services and hours of operation for the civic holiday, Saskatchewan Day, Monday, August 5. Find out what's open or closed, holiday operating schedules and more below.

CITY HALL

City Hall will be closed on Monday, August 5, and will reopen on Tuesday, August 6, at 8 a.m.

ROADWAY DETOURS & CLOSURES

Check here for detailed long weekend road restrictions for priority one roadways.

REMAI MODERN 

Remai Modern will be closed on Monday, August 5.

SASKATOON PUBLIC LIBRARY

All Saskatoon Public Library locations will be closed on Monday, August 5. During July and August, all libraries are closed on Sundays.  

SASKATOON TRANSIT

• Fixed-route transit will run holiday service hours on August 5 from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. (normal fares apply).
  • Please consult the mobile app transit to plan your trip.Please consult the mobile app transit to plan your trip.
  • Visit saskatoontransit.ca
• OnDemand service will not be available on August 5.
• Access Transit will operate holiday service hours on August 5 from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.  
  • Trips must be booked in advance as per normal procedures (8:15 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.).
  • Customers are reminded that subscriptions do not apply on Statutory Holidays.
• Transit Customer Service Centre will be closed for walk-in customers on August 5, but phone lines (306-975-3100) will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

PAY PARKING

• Parking payment is not required on Monday, August 5.
• Motorists are reminded that all other parking requirements remain in effect, including parking time limits.

MUNICIPAL IMPOUND LOT

• Vehicles will not be released to the public on Monday, August 5.
• Open for regular business on Saturday, August 3 from 12 p.m. - 4 p.m.
• Information on Vehicle Seizures

WASTE COLLECTIONS

Garbage, Recycling, and Organics have collections as scheduled. Check your Collection Calendar here.

MATERIAL RECOVERY CENTRE & LANDFILL

• The Material Recovery Centre and Landfill are open on Monday, August 5 from 8 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
• Cash transactions are accepted, although Credit and Debit are recommended.
• More information at saskatoon.ca/mrc.

COMPOST DEPOT

The Compost Depot is open on Monday, August 5 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

WOODLAWN CEMETERY

• The cemetery office is closed on Monday, August 5.
• Cemetery grounds are open to the public 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily as per usual.

SASKATOON FORESTRY FARM PARK & ZOO

Regular Hours of Operation

• Zoo – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Zoo Train – 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

• Forestry Farm Park - 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

LEISURE CENTRES

Search for drop-in program information including fitness and weight room hours, public swim sessions and fitness programs on Leisure Online at saskatoon.ca/leisureonline.

• Cosmo Civic Centre - Closed
• Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre - Closed for facility upgrade. Learn more at saskatoon.ca/harrybailey.

• Lakewood Civic Centre – 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
• Lawson Civic Centre – 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• Saskatoon Field House – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Shaw Centre – 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.

• Terry Fox Track - Closed

NUTRIEN PLAYLAND AT KINSMEN

Open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

GOLF COURSES

• Holiday Park, Wildwood and Silverwood golf courses are open regular hours operation – tee times begin at 6 a.m.
• Holiday Park and Silverwood driving ranges are open regular hours of operation - 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. (last bucket sold at 8 p.m.)

OUTDOOR POOLS

• Lathey & Mayfair Pools – Public Swim from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• George Ward & Riversdale Pools
  • Family and Lane Swim from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Public Swim from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.

NOTIFYNOW

Residents are encouraged to sign-up for notifynow to receive timely and targeted public safety messages. Notifynow is a free service. Tell us how to best reach you on your preferred communication device. Visit saskatoon.ca/notifynow for more information.

YXE SERVICE ALERTS

For information and updates on service disruptions such as power or water check saskatoon.ca/servicealerts or follow @yxeservicealert on Twitter. 

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 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.   

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 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.