Category: Bus Riders of Saskatoon Updates

Every month, three members of the Bus Riders of Saskatoon meet with representatives from Saskatoon Transit.  This enables us to ask questions about our transit system, understand ongoing changes, and propose solutions to improve our public transportation. Read the minutes for the meeting here: Meeting #8 – May 13 2015

This month, there were several issues including the cost of a perfectly running Saskatoon transit system, funding strategies for Saskatoon Transit, upgrades to the Confederation bus stop, communication with bus riders and concerned citizens, and the status of bus shelters.

The Bus Riders of Saskatoon wanted to know what what costs were included to calculate a perfectly running transit system.  We were told that included only current operation costs, and it did not include snow clearing or waste receptacles. It did focus on the age of buses and the number of buses to mechanics.  They hope to have the report by June or July.

The federal government promised more funding for transit using a P3 strategy if they were re-elected. Our group was curious as to how Saskatoon Transit receives funding.  They noted that the new bus barn is a P3 endeavour.  They also lease their tires.

For those of you who use the Confederation bus stop between the Superstore and the Confederation Mall, you might have noticed that the shelter was removed again this year.  Upgrades will start May 19th.  They plan to make a larger platform, to replace the shelter, and to add a ramp for access to the Superstore.  (If you’ve made that trip in an icy winter weather, or after a rain, I’m sure you’ll be happy about this change!) They also hope to add seating through the summer.

The City of Saskatoon is forming an Active Transportation Plan.  They will have another consultation on May 23 from 10 am to 4 pm at River Landing.  Click here for more information.

Saskatoon Transit will give names to all of their stops in the coming months.  This will be useful for their ITS system, which will call out names for every stop. It was suggested that the bus stops should have a sticker to note the times that buses can be expected.  This item will be addressed again in a future meeting.

While many of our riders feel that the shelters are too small, Saskatoon Transit noted that this might not change soon.  Right of way is a concern, and utilities restricts the installation of residential shelters.

The next meeting will be next month.  If you would like to attend, our group would like you to attend one of our Bus Riders of Saskatoon meetings in the three months prior to the Saskatoon Transit meeting.  We hope that you can!  Your ideas, experience, and friendly personality are welcome!

Three Bus Riders of Saskatoon, Sarina, Mandy, and Dianne, met with representative of the Saskatoon Transit for Meeting #7.  The Interim Assistant Director, the Marketing Manager, and two Operations Superintendents were able to attend the meeting.

During the April 12, 2015  Bus Riders of Saskatoon meeting, a member questioned the usefulness of these meetings.  Prior to the creation of the Bus Riders of Saskatoon, interested individuals had previously met with Saskatoon Transit in suggest to improvements for Saskatoon’s public transportation.

We have been told that there Saskatoon Transit does not have a formal process in place for collecting information gathered at these monthly meetings. However, having Saskatoon Transit managers and any other relevant staff present to hear our feedback first hand allows them to fit them directly into their work plan. This has included the discussion of strollers on buses, and additional training for staff.  The Bus Riders of Saskatoon have also been told that Saskatoon Transit is a slow moving ship.  This indicates that change is slow to happen.  For example, suggestions from an earlier meeting held with Saskatoon Transit regarding beautification of bus shelters will occur this summer.  Art has been designed for bus shelters downtown.

So, to all of our members, whether through Facebook, our Gmail group, or anyone else who supports our cause through word-of-mouth: Please keep providing suggestions for input at these meeting with Saskatoon Transit.  You can send an email to busridersofsaskatoon@gmail.com or express yourself on Facebook.

Read More

The City of Saskatoon has launched a new website for Saskatoon Transit.

Particularly new is the addition of a Real Time Map, which allows a rider to track a bus on its route.  If you want to wait inside while the bus runs a few minutes late, you now have that luxury!  In order to access it through your smart phone, you’ll need to use a different process.   Saskatoon Transit has provided these instructions, with special instructions for mobile users in regards to data usage:

 To view the information you simply head to the “Stop Schedules and Departures” menu item in the mobile trip planner and put in your 4 digit stop number.  There’s also a link to find your stop number on the same page if you’re not sure of it.

The Real Time Map is only intended for desktop use as the feature has very heavy data usage.  Be cautious in regards to viewing the ‘moving bus’ map on a mobile device, unless users are connected to wifi.

Users are able to see the status of buses on the mobile trip planner menu without having to open up the ‘moving bus’ map.  The 4 digit stop numbers can be favorited by users by clicking on the star icon for quick future usage.

You can watch a video to get more details and instructions on this new feature.

Let us know in the comment section below how it’s working for you.   Also, let Saskatoon Transit know in a couple of different ways.  Phone, email, or drop in to their Customer Service Centre.  Or, sign up to be an ongoing part of their Engagement activities.  As always, feel free to give the Bus Riders of Saskatoon your opinions on our Facebook page, send an email to our group, or join us at our monthly meeting!