Saskatoon Transit will be operating with Holiday service on Monday, February 19.

Access Transit will be operating with Holiday Service on Monday, February 19.  Trips must be booked in advance as per normal procedures (8:15 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.). Customers are reminded that subscriptions do not apply on Statutory Holidays.

Transit Customer Service Center will be closed for walk-in customers on Monday, February 19^th but phone lines will be available from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

If you are heading to SaskTel Centre for the RAM Motorsports Spectacular this weekend, the City recommends you consider Transit as your mode of transportation. Buses will leave from the Special Events Stop downtown (23^rd Street and 2^nd Avenue, outside 2^nd Avenue Lofts) to SaskTel Centre at the following times:

Friday, February 16 - 7:00 p.m. Showtime

5:45 p.m.

6:15 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

Saturday, February 17 - 1:00 p.m. Showtime

11:45 a.m.

12:15 p.m.

12:45 p.m.

Saturday, February 17 - 7:00 p.m. Showtime

5:45 p.m.

6:15 p.m.

6:45 p.m.

Buses depart the SaskTel Centre and drop off at the downtown terminal following the event. 

Saskatoon Transit provides service/public transportation to all public events at SaskTel Centre.  Regular fares apply ($3.00/trip), transfers, and passes are also accepted.  

For regular schedules and other trip planning tools, visit saskatoontransit.ca.   

Around 11:00 a.m. an eastbound Saskatoon Transit bus contacted a guardrail near the North Circle Drive Bridge.

Paramedics took three passengers with minor injuries on the Route 13 bus to hospital.

There were 25 passengers who boarded a replacement bus and the driver was issued a ticket for driving without due care and attention. 

As is the practice, Transit officials are conducting an internal review of the incident. 

The lanes heading downtown on College Drive and the University Bridge will be closed to traffic during the afternoon commute. This will impact westbound traffic on College Drive beginning at Cumberland Avenue. The closure will be in effect beginning at 4:30 p.m. to allow a march from the U of S campus to proceed down the University Bridge.

Spadina Crescent will also be closed from 21^st to 24^th Streets.

Traffic leaving downtown from 1^st to 6^th Avenues via the University Bridge will not be affected.

 What you can expect from us

• Traffic headed westbound on College Drive will need to turn left at Cumberland Avenue and use an alternate route that doesn’t include University Bridge.
• Traffic headed north on Clarence Avenue will not have access to University Bridge.
• Transit Routes 4, 6, 22, 40 & 45 will use an alternate route to access the Downtown – 9 stops will be affected. Updates on the Transit App.
• Traffic signals have been optimized for the most efficient flow of traffic.

 How you can help us

• Where possible, avoid College Drive westbound and Clarence Avenue northbound approaching University Bridge.
• Use a route other than Spadina leaving downtown to the University Bridge.
• Transit users are urged to plan their route in advance at SaskatoonTransit.ca or by consulting Google Maps Transit or the Transit App.

Drivers are reminded to watch for pedestrians and to take note of all posted signage as well as other traffic control measures.

Saskatoon Transit encourages fans to rely on public transit to attend the Avenged Sevenfold concert this Valentine’s Day - Wednesday, February 14, 2018.  Buses will leave from the Special Events Stop downtown (23^rd Street and 2^nd Avenue, outside 2^nd Avenue Lofts) to SaskTel Centre at the following times:

4:45 p.m.

5:15 p.m.

5:45 p.m.

Buses depart SaskTel Centre after the concert as they fill up and drop off at the downtown terminal. 

Saskatoon Transit provides service/public transportation to all public events at SaskTel Centre.  Regular fares apply ($3.00/trip), transfers, and passes are also accepted.  

For regular schedules and other trip planning tools, visit saskatoontransit.ca.   

After years of detailed study, planning, and community engagement, the city’s Bus Rapid Transit lines have been revealed.

“This is a major move toward the implementation of our Plan for Growth,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development.  “The future transit system is key to providing viable options for people to move around and supporting transit-oriented development along some of the city’s major corridors.  This plan presents us with a view of our future transit system in much greater detail than we have seen before.  Our goal is to design a system that works for Saskatoon – so join the conversation!”

“There are notable changes to the preferred route configuration presented in November,” Anderson says.  She explains that this includes the introduction of a “Green Line,” necessary to accommodate the split in the former “Red Line.”

Formerly the northern component of the Red Line servicing University Heights, the new Green Line will stretch from University Heights, through the Downtown, terminating at Confederation Mall.  This third line will parallel the Red Line for much of its length, improving the frequency along 22nd Street, through the Downtown, and along College Drive, while making the overall system easier to understand for users.

Anderson adds the plan provides further details about:

• how a new BRT system will function;
• identifying station design options;
• platform locations; and
• configuration of dedicated runningways.

She says the plan also includes a strategy for how the rest of the transit system could be reconfigured to align with BRT; provide high-quality, direct, and frequent transit connections; and better expand to meet the future needs of a city with a population of 500,000..

“I am excited about the opportunities this system will provide our city,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit.  “This will help us encourage transit-oriented development that meets the growing needs for our city.  Change is needed to ensure the success of our future system, but it will be done incrementally and thoughtfully, in partnership with the community.”

The proposed plan, along with a summary of stakeholder and public input, will be presented to City Council for consideration and approval later this spring.

Background:
At its April 25, 2016 meeting, Saskatoon City Council approved, in principle, the Growth Plan to Half a Million, which includes plans for a re-envisioned transit system based around BRT and infill at strategic locations in the city, including the Downtown, the University of Saskatchewan endowment lands, and along major transportation corridors.  Following this approval, the City created a Ten-Year Action Plan to advance a number of the core initiatives identified in the Growth Plan to Half a Million.

The City and the Government of Canada will share in a total contribution of $7.65 million through the Public Transportation Infrastructure Fund for a number of the Plan for Growth projects, including:

• Transit Plan – includes BRT and Transit System Plan Implementation
• Corridor Growth
  • Transit Villages Concept Plans
  • Corridor Planning Program
  • Brownfield Renewal Strategy

For more information/to sign up for project updates, please visit saskatoon.ca/growth.  Learn more about engagement opportunities by visiting saskatoon.ca/engage.

After the game buses will depart SaskTel Centre as they fill up. 

For regular bus schedules and other trip planning tools including the real-time Transit app visit SaskatoonTransit.ca or download the Transit app on your mobile.   

Saskatoon Transit has 15 new buses on the road with the help of the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF). The new buses are included in the total $24 million contribution towards fleet renewal in Saskatoon.

“The focus of our Fleet Renewal Strategy is to improve rider experience while decreasing operating costs," says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit.  “With this funding, we were able to purchase 26 new 40 foot buses over the last 12 months.”

The new 12 metre (40 foot) buses are fully accessible, have automated passenger counters, contain the latest Intelligent Transportation System technology and are more fuel efficient. 

 “Investing in public transit infrastructure shortens commute times, reduces congestion, protects the environment and helps the community access services and job opportunities,” says the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency.  “I’m very pleased that these modern, fuel-efficient buses are hitting the streets in Saskatoon, providing residents with better transit service.”

The buses leave a smaller environmental footprint because of improved emissions, but also because they are paint free.  They also come with lower long term operating costs, due to the use of more durable materials.

“Saskatoon residents will enjoy travelling in these new buses while reducing their environmental footprint,” says the Honourable Larry Doke, Minister of Government Relations.  “Investments like this, which is funded under the PTIF program administered by the Government of Saskatchewan, will improve the quality of life for our citizens for years to come.” 

Upgrading the Saskatoon Transit fleet with new buses instead of 10 year old buses saves approximately $40,000 per year, per bus.  With fleet updates over the last five years, Saskatoon Transit has realized a fuel consumption savings of approximately $165,000 per year (based on today’s fuel prices). 

Over the next 10 years, Saskatoon Transit plans to:

• Ensure every bus is fully accessible (by the end of 2018);
• Reduce its average bus age from 12 to 7 years, which will reduce maintenance costs and fleet size (i.e. fewer “spares” required);
• Offer air conditioning and other improved amenities on every bus;

Saskatoon Transit will also be receiving eight smaller 9 metre (30 foot) buses this year funded by PTIF.  Two will be added to Access Transit’s fleet and the remaining will be used for conventional transit.  

Saskatoon Transit encourages Rush fans to avoid traffic and parking by taking the bus to the Saskatchewan Rush game on Friday, January 19, 2018.  

Buses leave from the Special Events Stop (located outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to SaskTel Centre at the following times:

• 5:45 p.m.
• 6:00 p.m.
• 6:20 p.m.
• 6:35 p.m.
• 6:55 p.m.
• 7:10 p.m.

After the game, buses will depart SaskTel Centre as they fill up. 

For regular bus schedules and other trip planning tools including the real-time Transit app visit saskatoontransit.ca.   

Starting January 7, slight timing adjustments will be made to Saskatoon Transit routes and schedule to help improve service.  The following routes will be affected:

• Route 8 – 8^th Street
• Route 19 – Centre Mall
• Route 35 – Silverwood Heights
• Route 40 - Evergreen
• Route 60 - Confederation
• Route 61 - Blairmore
• Route 62 – Montgomery
• Route 63 – Hampton Village
• Route 65 – Kensington
• Route 81 – Taylor Street
• Route 82 – Main Street*
• Route 84 – Briarwood*

*weekend service affected

All new schedules are available at saskatoontransit.ca and will be made available at the Transit Customer Service Centre.

Customers can plan their trip with the updated schedules and real time tracking through Google Transit and on the Transit App. Citizens are encouraged to plan their trip in advance and review updated schedules before traveling.