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FIVE-YEAR TRANSIT PLAN TARGETS OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENTS, CUSTOMER SERVICE

For immediate release: September 14, 2015 - 1:33 pm
TU15-351

A five-year transit plan presented today to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation stresses some important changes to Saskatoon Transit. Director of Saskatoon Transit, Jim McDonald says the plan is intended to lay out how Saskatoon Transit will prepare for the implementation of the City’s Growth Plan to Half a Million.

“Saskatoon Transit is about to see a number of significant developments to its operations in the coming years, including the eventual introduction of services like Bus Rapid Transit,” says McDonald. “In order to be ready for these big changes, we need to start putting some things in place today that will help set the stage for the next chapter of bus service in Saskatoon.”

The changes adopted by the Committee today include:

  • Enhanced customer service and community engagement capacities that will support positive perceptions of Transit as well as increased ridership;
  • The introduction of staged changes, as well as the gathering of metrics, to support the future implementation of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT);
  • Relocating Saskatoon Transit’s location to provide adequate space for the growing fleet as well as the necessary resources to support Transit services;
  • The development of a Control Centre that will monitor Transit systems and allow instant identification of issues and direct changes due to traffic congestion or detours;
  • A funding model that would support the expansion and transition to a modern and fully accessible fleet by 2018; and
  • Increased investments in staff training and professional development so that Transit employees feel fully supported in their roles.

“We’re working to reach out to existing riders as well as reach new ones through our expanded customer service and engagement activities,” says McDonald. “In addition to the changes proposed in our five year vision, we’re getting out in communities right away to let people know Transit is changing and we deserve a second look.”

For more information about Saskatoon Transit, visit transit.saskatoon.ca or follow @StoonTransit on Twitter. You can also plan your route in advance using any of the following tools: Saskatoon Transit Trip Planner, Google Transit Trip Planner, or the Transit App on your mobile device.