News Releases

January 13, 2020 - 3:45pm

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.

December 27, 2019 - 9:45am

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.” 

December 13, 2019 - 3:30pm

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. 

December 10, 2019 - 7:00pm

The City of Saskatoon will have a number of adjusted civic services and holiday hours over the holidays including Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Wondering what's open or closed? Wanting to make plans to go swimming or skating,  use free transit on New Year's Eve, and know for sure if you have to pay for parking on certain days like Boxing Day?  

Find the full listing with details here

The City of Saskatoon extends best wishes for all residents to have a safe and happy holiday season!

December 6, 2019 - 9:30am

On Friday, December 6, 2019 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.

December 4, 2019 - 10:45am

For anyone wanting to avoid what can be a stressful traffic experience, Saskatoon Transit encourages shoppers to hop on Route 1225, the Jingle Bell Express.  

The Jingle Bell Express is Saskatoon Transit’s annual holiday shopping bus route. It runs from December 7th 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 and none of the driving or parking fuss! 

“The Jingle Bell Express removes the hassle of driving and parking, 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 will be 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.  

Everyone is encouraged to use the Transit App or Google Transit to plan their trip, or consult the route schedule on Transit’s website. 

Jingle Bell Express riders may be asked to 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!  

November 21, 2019 - 9:00am

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to the PBR at SaskTel Centre on Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23 will be available at the following times: 

Friday, November 22 and Saturday, November 23  

• 6:05 p.m. 
• 6:45 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 be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.  

November 15, 2019 - 11:15am

Parking and lane restrictions will be in effect in the downtown area on Sunday, November 17 for the Santa Claus Parade, between 7 a.m. until around 3 p.m. The downtown area will be busy and parking restrictions will be in place during this time. There will be no access to the parade route between Idylwyld Drive, 19th Street, 4th Avenue, 22 Street, and 1st Avenue.  
 

Road users are encouraged to allow extra time to reach their downtown destination.  
 

People attending the parade can avoid the traffic and parking by choosing to use Transit to attend the parade. Buses traveling through the city centre will navigate the detours for you. Plan your bus route in advance using the mobile app Transit. Also, note the new feature on the app called Transit+ which helps you make connections that combine Transit with ridehail providers like riide and Uber.  

November 12, 2019 - 12:30pm

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to the Canada vs Russia hockey game at SaskTel Centre on Wednesday, November 13, will be available at the following times: 

• 6:15 p.m.
• 6:55 p.m.  
• 7:35 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 be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.  

November 8, 2019 - 8:15am

Thanks to RBC, Saskatoon Transit will be offering free, direct service to the Remembrance Day Ceremony at SaskTel Centre on Monday, November 11, 2019.  

Riders will be granted access when entering the bus with no advanced action required.  

The free bus service will depart the Market Mall and Centre Mall transit terminals at 9:45 a.m. and the Special Events Stop Downtown (23rd St & 2nd Ave) at the following times:  

9:00 a.m.  
9:15 a.m. 
9:30 a.m. 
9:45 a.m. 
10:00 a.m. 
10:15 a.m. 

Return trips will begin immediately following the close of ceremonies.  

Those currently serving in the military and veterans wearing a medal on Monday, November 11th will be able to ride for free on all Saskatoon Transit routes for the entire day.