The Transit Plan project anticipates a number of public and stakeholder engagement opportunities during Winter 2017 - 2018:
Saskatoon needs a variety of transportation options in order to meet the needs of a city of 500,000. Organized around a Bus Rapid Transit system, the Transit Plan charts a course to get Saskatoon’s transit system ready for the expected growth as well as making transit an attractive option for existing residents. The Transit Plan identifies the system changes and infrastructure needs to support high-frequency, direct service along the city’s major corridors. In turn, this will support transit-oriented development that will make efficient use of existing infrastructure.
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) functional planning and detailed design (includes station design), transit system reconfiguration, park and ride strategy, cost benefit study, and implementation plan.
The goal is to increase ridership from the current 4.5% to 8%. This can be achieved by improving transit in Saskatoon by making it a more attractive option to current and future customers. Making it more attractive means making transit more frequent, direct, reliable and comfortable. Higher transit ridership reduces the amount of private vehicles on the roads which can help to delay the need for both maintenance and roadway capacity costs. Additionally, good transit service achieves social, environmental and economic goals.
This would be subject to City Council approval and funding availability. The City’s current understanding is that the next phase of the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) is targeting for 2019, with construction expected to take 3 years. The City is presently completing these Phase 1 projects to ensure that we are fully prepared to apply for and potentially access Phase 2 PTIF funding.
The Transit Plan is jointly funded by the City of Saskatoon and the Government of Canada’s Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF).
The head office for the engineering firm, HDR Inc., is located in the US. However HDR Corporation is a Canadian Company registered in Alberta. The primary staff on this project are based in Calgary, with some support from staff in Toronto. The HDR project manager was born in Kindersley, and is based in Calgary, where he ran Calgary Transit for many years and was the General Manager of Transportation for the City of Calgary. John is an expert in transit planning and a Transit Practice Lead for the HDR. John’s has completed numerous projects for transit agencies across North America – Translink (Vancouver), Red Deer, Calgary Transit, Zum (Brampton), VIVA (York Region), and the Toronto Transit Commission to name a few.
Also, to help complete the project, HDR has brought on two firms who have offices in Saskatoon (Dillon Consulting and CIMA+).
A rubber tire bus-based rapid transit system that improves travel speed, reliability, capacity and customer experience through enhancements to transit priority measures, introduction of stations, customer systems (such as real-time information, security monitoring, and on-demand heated shelters) and exclusive runningways (transit-only lanes).
BRT forms (or will form) either the core service or part of the rapid transit network in several Canadian cities: Calgary, Winnipeg, Brampton, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, and Halifax.
Saskatoon’s proposed BRT system meets the principle requirements for a BRT according to the IDTP standards. However, standards set by the ITDP are not necessarily the authoritative definition of BRT. While our system does not have a contiguous minimum 3 km corridor dedicated to runningways, as per ITDP’s standards, we do have 3+ km of dedicated runningway proposed on two separate BRT lines. The City is planning a system that is “right-sized” for Saskatoon’s population and projected ridership, containing an appropriate mix of BRT infrastructure and system improvements to achieve significant gains in frequency, travel time and customer comfort at a reasonable cost. The proposed system will meet Saskatoon’s needs over the next 10 years, but can also grow as the city does and as ridership warrants. The first step towards BRT is not necessarily the last.
For cities the size and scale of Saskatoon, BRT is a flexible and cost effective approach for delivering rapid transit. BRT shares many similarities with rail-based rapid transit systems – such as stations, exclusive runningways, and transit priority measures.
For higher-order transit systems like BRT to be successful, they need to be located close to a high concentration of people, jobs and destinations. A number of factors were considered during the route selection for the BRT system, including existing transit ridership, existing and projected traffic volumes, and right-of-way width, but the primary reason is the route’s proximity to locations where many people begin and end many trips. Routes were selected based on those locations that provide the best coverage to many destinations within a 5-7 minute “walking distance” (400 metres – 600 metres) of the line while still connecting across the city.
While BRT will form part of the core services, they will form part of the many transit routes available. There will be feeder and conventional bus routes that form the overall transit network.
Hours of operation:
Frequency:
BRT offers cross-town service with limited stops (stations are an average of 0.9km apart). For example, it will take approximately 40 minutes to travel from end to end on any of the lines. BRT travel times will be, on average, 10% to 15% faster than current bus travel times. For example, getting from Confederation Mall to the University will be 7 minutes faster with BRT. That’s almost 15 minutes for a two-way trip.
Part of the Transit Plan work includes the development of Park and Ride Strategy. The Strategy will include an understanding of Park and Ride demand in Saskatoon and identifying potential locations. Typically Park and Ride stations are located outside of the inner city.
A runningway is the path the BRT follows along the roadway. For the most part, the BRT will operate in the curb lane in mixed traffic (like buses currently operate today). There are some sections of the city where an exclusive runningway would benefit BRT travel times and reliability. An exclusive runningway are dedicated bus-only lanes. Three BRT segments have been identified for exclusive runningways: 3rd Avenue downtown, Broadway Avenue, and College Drive. The exclusive runningway configuration would be two dedicated lanes and stations in the centre of the roadway.
Other buses and emergency vehicles will be able to use the exclusive runningways.
Only buses and emergency vehicles are allowed to use the exclusive runningways.
If the station is along the curb, the station will be connected to the adjacent sidewalk or pathway. Stations will have ramps leading up to them since they are slightly higher than the existing curb to facilitate level-boarding for people using wheelchairs, strollers, or other mobility aids.
If the station is in the middle of the roadway, such as in an exclusive runningway situation, passengers use a crosswalk to access stations. They would cross at the corner (like they do now) and half-way across the roadway there will be a ramp leading up to a station.
BRT stations are typically placed close to a crosswalk, so that makes for the intuitive crossing for most transit customers.
A number of factors were considered during the route selection for the BRT system, including existing transit ridership, existing and projected traffic volumes, and right-of-way width, but the primary reason is the route’s proximity to locations where many people begin and end many trips. 3rd Avenue remains the preferred route through downtown because:
Downtown and the U of S are currently major destinations for transit users. Stations are spaced 400 metres apart downtown, which is approximately 2 blocks (on the long side of the block). Having more stops downtown offers transit users easier access to where they want to go – whether it be from the south-end of downtown or the north-end.
The 23rd Street Transit Mall will not be used in the future and will likely be repurposed.
A number of factors were considered during the route selection for the BRT system, including existing transit ridership, existing and projected traffic volumes, and right-of-way width, but the primary reason is the route’s proximity to locations where many people begin and end many trips.
Broadway remains the preferred route because:
The City of Saskatoon and HDR are engaging stakeholders along the route. These include one-on-one meetings, workshops as well as online opportunities for stakeholder feedback.
During event closures (which is around 10 days/year), buses will be rerouted along a parallel corridor.
Part of the BRT system include Transit Signal Priority measures. TSP uses the existing traffic signal infrastructure, bus arrival detection and software logic to determine the optimum way to limit bus delay at traffic signals. If a vehicle is moving in the same direction as the BRT, the travel times would improve for both autos and transit vehicles.
Exclusive runningways may impact some parking along Broadway and 3rd Avenue. We are working on minimizing the impacts to parking and evaluating options to potentially offset impacts.
BRT is a high capacity service serving high capacity corridors. The North Industrial area has low density/low demand dispersed over a wide area which is better served by feeder or conventional bus routes.
BRT services may be extended to new or developing communities in the future. Many of these communities will be served by feeder or crosstown conventional bus routes that connect to the BRT service.
The proposed BRT system, if approved and funding secured, could be implemented over a three year construction schedule for a rough cost of approximately $120 million plus or minus 25%.
Each corridor is unique.
Overlapping provides a higher level of service to the core / high ridership / dense / busy areas of Saskatoon.
The corridors selected for the BRT are also strategic growth corridors. Confederation Mall is also a future Transit Village. There should also be good transit service along 33rd Street and this service should connect to BRT.
All transit customers start and end as pedestrians. Development (whether residential, commercial, institutional or otherwise) has to be in close proximity (within walking distance) to the route which with Circle Drive it is not. People can not access it easily by foot from developments situated on, along, or tied to this freeway. Sure, you can move buses fast along Circle Drive, but you won’t be moving people/passengers.
The gap shown in the renderings is a little too big. In reality, the gap would only be a few inches, and the reason a gap is needed is because the station pad is often not 100% flat, and so, on one side of the shelter there might not be a gap but on the other side there might be a gap of one to a couple of inches. We try our best to minimize any gaps but in some situations it is inevitable.
We anticipate that as the City’s new Bus Rapid Transit system comes online that gradual adjustments will be needed. We don’t have all of the answers yet, which is why we are hiring a leading BRT design firm. We will identify needed changes as we get into the project. As is the City’s practice, we will advertise anticipated changes
Based on feedback from the February online surveys, open house and workshops we are redesigning routes to serve the North Industrial area.
Feedback from the February workshop, open house, and online surveys have told us there is a gap in transit service along 33rd, from Avenue P to Idywyld Drive. We are going to work on filling that gap.
Currently the average frequency is every 30 minutes. In the propose reconfiguration the average frequency will be 20 minutes.
We are maintaining the same number of service hours in the proposed network as exist today.
As NE Saskatoon develops we anticipate there will be a crosstown route that connects the NW Industrial Area to the NE residential areas.
Bus Rapid Transit is a new type of transit service for Saskatoon that will help connect you from where you are to where you want to be. It forms the backbone of a transit system built around frequent, direct transit links.
Connecting Confederation, University Heights and 8th Street East to the University of Saskatchewan and Downtown, the Red Line will form the major east-west linkage of the new Bus Rapid Transit system. Connecting Lawson Heights and Preston Avenue South to Downtown and Broadway Avenue, the Blue Line of the Bus Rapid Transit system will quickly move you north and south.
Saskatoon needs a variety of transportation options in order to meet the needs of a city of 500,000. The Transit Plan charts a course to get Saskatoon's transit system ready for this growth by making transit an attractive option for current and future residents. The plan includes the introduction of a Bus Rapid Transit system, and identifies changes needed to the current system to support high-frequency, direct service along the city's major corridors. In turn, this will support transit-oriented development that will make efficient use of existing infrastructure.
Learn More About Bus Rapid Transit / Transit Plan Implementation
Ever wondered why Saskatoon's Growth Plan to Half a Million recommended a new Bus Rapid Transit System and reconfiguration options for our current transit system? Below are some of the reasons why we think a new Transit Plan helps us create a sustainable future for our City... Read it over, then join the conversation - let us know what matters to you. Tell us at #GrowYXE - we're listening!
Thank you to everyone that participated in all of our engagement events in Fall 2017! In the workshops and at the public open house we have heard that our City is passionate about change, and that people want to talk about how a new Transit System supported by Bus Rapid Transit will help us achieve our Plan for Growth. The City's technical expert has presented a strong path forward, but this is just the start. As a city we have lots of great conversations ahead of us - we have to do this together as a community." Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning & Development
In December 2017, the City of Saskatoon invited the city to participate in an online survey to help build our functional plan for the future Transit System. This survey was advertised widely, and was also sent to the Citizen Advisory Panel, and Plan for Growth Newsletter Subscribers. Participants were asked to weigh in on the benefits and impacts of each component of the BRT Preferred Configuration, they were also asked to help us understand how we can best re-configure our existing transit services moving forward. The answers provided in this survey helped the City of Saskatoon plan important transit network improvements as part of the Transit System Plan.
On December 5, the City of Saskatoon invited specific stakeholders to workshops designed to provide input that was reviewed and considered as a key component of the development of the Transit Plan.
On December 6, the City of Saskatoon launched the first round of conversations with the community regarding the Transit Plan project. The Come & Go Event provided opportunity for us to share information on the Bus Rapid Transit Preferred Configuration and how these features are tailored specifically for Saskatoon. Information was also shared on the transit network principles and how the Bus Rapid Transit system will re-shape the Saskatoon Transit network. Participants were provided with an opportunity to help the City understand how these changes may affect them.
The City of Saskatoon invited specific stakeholders to be involved in a second round of workshops to continue the conversation around what it will take to build a Transit System that will work for Saskatoon.
What We Presented
Proposed Functional Plan, Station Designs, Park and Ride Strategy, and Route Reconfiguration Options for the existing Saskatoon Transit network.
What We Asked From You
In December, you helped us understand your thoughts and concerns about our initial Preferred Configuration. You told us what you need in Saskatoon’s Future Transit System – now we want to invite you to come and see how we have incorporated what you told us into our Functional Plan. We’d like to ask you if we missed anything.
Why Your Participation Mattered
We want to build a future transit system that works for our city, and we want to do it in smart and sustainable ways. You understand our city. You are a big part of our plan. Your participation and ideas were needed to gain an understanding on how to successfully implement these initiatives.
On February 7, the City of Saskatoon held an engagement opportunity to continue the conversation with the community regarding the City's re-envisioned transit system based around Bus Rapid Transit. Participants were invited to provide feedback on the proposed functional plan, station designs, park and ride strategy, and reconfiguration options for the Saskatoon Transit network.
In February 2018, the City of Saskatoon invited the city to participate in three online surveys to help build our functional plan for the future Transit System. The surveys provided stakeholders and residents an opportunity to weigh in on the City's proposed functional plan for a Bus Rapid Transit system. Participants were asked to share their preferences on proposed routes and exclusive runningways, their opinions on the proposed areas chosen including preferred platform locations and shelter designs, and their feedback on the proposed Transit Network Reconfiguration Plan routes.
On March 7, 2018 the City of Saskatoon brought together a wide range of the Plan for Growth projects to provide a significant opportunity for the public to learn about the current Public Transit Infrastructure Fund projects and provide their thoughts. The success of this event saw stakeholders engaging in a lot of fun ways with these exciting projects, that included activities for all ages. As our city continues to grow toward a population of 500,000, we encourage everyone to come to one of our future Plan for Growth events to help us understand what matters to you most.
Funding for this project is provided through the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) from the Government of Canada and the City of Saskatoon. To learn more visit Infrastructure Canada.
