“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.

The City of Saskatoon will have a number of adjusted civic services and altered hours on Family Day, February 17, 2020.

Check the full details here with updates on these items and more:

• What’s open or closed on Family Day
• Your garbage or recycling collection schedule
• Saskatoon Transit Holiday service hours
• Payment requirements at parking stations
• Bonus fitness classes at Leisure Centres

Looking for fun things to do on the Family Day long weekend?

Family Fun February Offer: The City’s Leisure Centres are supporting healthy and active individuals and families in Saskatoon by providing a coupon for 20% off your next Family, Adult or Youth Leisure Centre general admission!

Coupons are valid from February 12-26, 2020, and may be printed or presented to Leisure Centre staff on your phone. To download your coupon click here.

Family Day Skate Monday, February 17: Everyone is welcome! Bring your skates and safety gear and come out for an afternoon of winter fun at the FREE Family Day Skate!

Skating will take place at the Cosmo Arena, while non-skating activities will be offered in the gymnasium, as well as outdoors, and will include Indigenous teachings and more! Please dress warmly.

The City of Saskatoon wishes everyone a safe and happy long weekend!

Visit saskatoon.ca for more information on City services and programs.

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 Colorado Mammoth at SaskTel Centre on Saturday, February 8, 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.

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.

Due to renovations, Saskatoon Transit Customer Service Centre will be adjusting its walk-in service hours and moving to a temporary location.
Please note: this location is in the same building, but the entry door is on 3rd Avenue (205 3rd Avenue N).

Beginning February 7 until February 24, walk-in Service Centre hours and location will be the following:

The Customer Service Centre phone line will not be affected and will continue with regular hours.

The Saskatoon Transit Customer Service Centre will resume operations at its original location and operating hours on February 25.

Please call Customer Service at 306-975-3100 with any questions.

Annual ridership has continued to grow year over year resulting in a 2.5% increase in conventional ridership and 2.2% increase in Access Transit ridership.   

“I am very happy with this result as it shows that we continue to attract more riders to our system and those who are already using transit are using it more often. I attribute the increase to more reliable and frequent routing along our transit corridors,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit.

With a large student base of riders, Saskatoon Transit saw an increase of 2.4% in the number of U of S students taking advantage of their UPass.

“This shows more people, including students at the U of S, are recognizing transit as a viable alternative to driving,” says McDonald.

Contributing Factors:

Increased Frequency

Over the past three years, Saskatoon Transit has implemented three high frequency transit corridors (8^th Street, 22^nd Street and Attridge Drive/Preston Avenue/ College Drive). These routes offer 10 minute frequency in both directions throughout the day, decreasing the amount of time riders wait for the next bus, accommodating the volume of riders, and increasing the options they have for travel.

Saskatoon Transit has also implemented high frequency routes that run on weekday mornings to help with the volume of riders during that time. These high frequency routes run from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.

Conventional Transit travels 8 million kilometers per year and of that 1.5 million kilometers are high frequency corridors and routes.

Real-time Mobile App Adoption

Saskatoon Transit saw more riders adopting real-time transit apps to plan their trips. Approximately 6,000 users per day use the mobile app, transit. Of those who use this mobile app, 14,000 users receive push notification service alerts for their favourite routes. These numbers do not reflect those who use Google Maps Transit or any other mobile trip planning app.

Infrastructure Improvements

Saskatoon Transit purchased 7 new conventional buses in 2019 allowing for the last of the high floor buses to be retired. This was a big milestone, marking a 100% accessible bus fleet. Saskatoon Transit also purchased 11 new buses for Access Transit and made upgrades to 23 bus stops and 2 transit terminals (Confederation and Market Mall) in 2019.

A bus stop audit of nearly 1,500 bus stops was 92% complete in 2019. This audit will be completed and reviewed to ensure bus stops are located appropriately around the city, and to identify what stops need to be prioritized for accessibility and infrastructure improvements in 2020.

Saskatoon Transit experienced an increase in ridership of around two per cent in 2017 (8,678,825), 8.1% in 2018 (9,385,409), and 2.5% in 2019 (9,619,824). Although the increase is not as significant as it was in 2018, McDonald says this increase is pretty remarkable as we saw a decline last year in many of the top 50 transit markets in North America.

“The key to our success is overall improved service, a better customer experience and technology that supports both,” says McDonald. “In order to keep increasing our ridership numbers, we must continue to put our customer first.”

"The changes and improvements we’ve made will support a successful Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in Saskatoon,” says McDonald. “We’re working hard to deliver the kind of service residents expect from an urban, forward-thinking city.”

As passenger demand grows, Saskatoon Transit will continue to provide safe, efficient and economical transportation to citizens and visitors to Saskatoon. We look forward to seeing you on board!

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 Colorado Mammoth at SaskTel Centre on Saturday, January 18, 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.

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.  

With the Extreme Cold Warning in effect for Saskatoon this week issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada, it’s important for everyone to be well- prepared and safety-aware.

The Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization would like everyone to consider the following helpful information now and in the weeks ahead.

The extreme cold will impact the entire city, placing everyone at high-risk for potential frostbite and hypothermia. The most vulnerable are those with limited housing options, seniors, young children, people with chronic illnesses, and people working or exercising outdoors.

• Please remember: if it's too cold for you to stay outside, it's too cold and dangerous to let your pet outside during extreme temperatures
• If you are going out, ensure you are dressed for the weather – cover your head, and wear layers to add or remove
• If you must be outside, seek shelter and keep moving to maintain body heat
• If you begin to experience symptoms of frostbite or hypothermia, seek medical attention or call 9-1-1

The City of Saskatoon joins with various other agencies including the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership, the United Way and several emergency shelters on a Cold Weather Strategy. Activated since January 8, 2020, this Strategy is in place to ensure everyone sleeps in a safe place during extremely cold nights in Saskatoon. Homeless individuals and families can warm up at any of these 11 locations.

Extreme cold makes for higher demand on health care, emergency services and electricity. Residents are encouraged to follow @YXEServiceAlert  on Twitter or check the City’s website for Service Alerts for updates on power outages affecting Saskatoon Light & Power customers.

It is a good idea to be personally prepared by having a 72-hour emergency kit ready in case you need to evacuate or shelter-in-place. Also consider keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle with extra warm clothes, blankets and candles, and snacks. Saskatoon residents are also encouraged to sign-up for notifynow and tell the City how to best reach you with timely, trusted and targeted public safety messages for when you need to know.

Another reminder for residents is Saskatoon Transit’s SafeBus program runs year ‘round. If you are lost, cold, scared, or hurt - hold up your hand (palm out) in the direction of an approaching Transit bus, or go to a parked bus, & the transit operator will stop, contact emergency services & provide shelter to the next terminal.

Be Prepared, Be Safe

• Don’t venture out when extreme weather conditions are expected. If you must travel, avoid remote areas and let someone know where you’re going, and your expected arrival time
• Consider using Saskatoon Transit to avoid driving in extreme weather – it’s already warmed up and ready to take you where you need to go!
• Check your home’s furnace and exhaust vents to make sure snow and ice are not blocking them. Poisonous Carbon monoxide can build up within your home
• Keep your walkways free of ice and snow, this helps all community members move safely through neighbourhoods
• Be a snow angel and help out shoveling for neighbors’ who may be unable to
• Clear snow away from fire hydrants in your neighbourhood to make sure first-responders can access them

Stay safe, and stay warm! Visit saskatoon.ca for more tips on being prepared.

For the past 30 years, SGI and Saskatoon Transit have partnered to offer free late night transit service on New Year’s Eve, ensuring everyone has a safe ride home. This year is no different! SGI is once again sponsoring free rides in the evening and Saskatoon Transit has extended the free service to all day.  

“Having free Transit service on New Year’s Eve removes a barrier when making decisions on how to get 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 called 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 mobile app, Transit. 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 right from the app. “We are proud to be a part of integrating public and private modes of transportation,” says Carlo Triolo, General Manager, Riide. “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 using the transit app residents can minimize wait times and costs.  

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

“There is no reason for impaired driving, especially on New Year’s Eve,” says McDonald. “We are thankful to have SGI as a partner in providing free transit service to all on New Year’s Eve.”  

“We want everyone to enjoy their New Year’s Eve, but we also want everyone to make it home safe,” said Minister Responsible for SGI Joe Hargrave. “So while you’re planning your festivities, also plan ahead for a safe ride home. SGI is proud to sponsor ‘Wing in the New Year’ as another great option.” 

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 New England Blackwolves at SaskTel Centre on Saturday, December 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.
• 7:25 p.m.

Post event drop-off is the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Transfers and passes are also accepted. 
NEW! 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.