News Releases

For Release: August 29, 2014

Saskatoon Transit will not have sufficient buses available to run full transit service starting on Tuesday, September 2, 2014. There is a backlog of maintenance on our fleet which prevents us from running all services.

“Transit is doing everything possible to minimize the impact to customers”, says Bob Howe, Director of Saskatoon Transit “We are not operating in normal circumstances and the backlog is caused by a number of factors.”

“We are working hard to find solutions to address the backlog of buses which need maintenance”, Howe says. “We have sent out as many buses for repair to the private sector as we can. We have also been attempting to hire qualified mechanics to maintain our fleet”.

“It has been extremely difficult to attract mechanics to Saskatoon Transit. We have been advertising for vacant journeyman mechanics; however, in a highly competitive market it is difficult to recruit when still advertising 2012 wage rates”, Howe says.  Although the City has offered a 10% wage increase these rates cannot be advertised until there is a new collective agreement.  We have been in an environment of labour uncertainty for the last number of months which has proven to be challenging. 

At this time, all regular routes and Dart routes will still be operating. It is primarily the service upgrades we offer such as High School Specials, Direct services, and those extra buses to accommodate the large number of transit users on popular routes, during peak times.  We are regrettably not able to provide all of these services given the backlog of buses needing maintenance.

“In all situations where transit is being suspended, there are still other route options for getting to your destination,” Howe says.

There are a number of ways available for residents to find alternate bus routes:

• Transit Click & Go - Visit www.saskatoon.ca and search for route options using Transit Click & Go.
• Phone & Go – Call 306-975-7500 to access Phone & Go, a trip planning service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  By following phone prompts, you can plan your transit trip using the most up-to-date information, or find the next buses servicing a stop.
• Customer Service Representative – Call 306-975-3100 to speak with a Customer Service Representative or visit our Saskatoon Transit Customer Centre, located at the Downtown Terminal on 23^rd Street. Visit www.saskatoon.ca for hours of operation.

The following services will be suspended or delayed effective Tuesday, September 2:

• All High School Specials (with exception of College Park to St. Joseph) will be suspended
• All Downtown Direct and University Direct services will be suspended
• Extra buses during peak travel times for popular transit routes will be suspended  (e.g. Route 80 – Kenderdine/City Centre)

The implementation of new routes will be delayed:

• Route 26 (Clarence/University)
• Express Routes for Parkridge, Willowgrove and Kenderdine Express

The following services will be running on Tuesday, September 2:

• All regular routes
• All Dart routes
• College Park to St. Joseph High School Special
• Caswell School Special

The following new temporary services will be provided starting Tuesday, September 2:

• Shuttle buses from Centre Mall to Holy Cross and Walter Murray Collegiate.
• Shuttle buses from Confederation Terminal to Bethlehem & Tommy Douglas Collegiate.

“All routes are anticipated to experience increased usage,” Howe says. “We encourage transit users to consider adjusting their trip times, if possible, to avoid peak morning and afternoon trip times.”

To find out if your routes are affected or to plan an alternate route please visit our website at www.saskatoon.ca, use our 24-hour automated Phone & Go service or call a Customer Service Representative. 

We will continue to provide service updates as soon as we have the fleet able to meet our enhanced service level beyond our core operations. 

The City of Saskatoon apologizes for any inconvenience this may cause.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

 

NEW SATURDAY
BROADWAY BRIDGE CLOSED FROM 3RD AVE N TO 12TH ST E
(Fireworks Festival)
Saskatchewan Cres closed from 13th St E to Broadway Ave. Restrictions reset Friday and Saturday night.
Start: August 29, 7:00 p.m. End: August 30, 11:00 p.m.
NEW SUNDAY

CIRCLE DR NB RAMP TO PRESTON AVE WB CLOSED
(Light pole work)
Start: August 31, 7:30 a.m. End: August 31, 12:00 p.m.
IDYLWYLD SERVICE RD WB CLOSED FROM 51ST ST TO IDYLWYLD DR
(Light pole work)
Start: August 31, 9:00 a.m. End: August 31, 12:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR WB RAMP TO WARMAN RD CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED
(Light pole work)
Start: August 31, 10:30 a.m. End: August 31, 12:00 p.m.
ONGOING
SPADINA CRES CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE N TO 20TH ST E
(Fireworks Festival)
Start: August 29, 4:00 p.m. End: August 31, 12:00 p.m.
TAYLOR ST W CLOSED FROM SASKATCHEWAN CRES W TO LORNE AVE
(Road Resurfacing)
Start: August 25, 9:00 a.m. End: August 30, 6:00 p.m.
CENTRAL AVE SB LANES CLOSED FROM 110TH ST W TO 112TH ST W
(Streetscaping)
Two-way traffic in NB lanes
Start: August 25, 10:00 a.m. End: September 20, 7:00 p.m.
33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(water main lining)
Two-way traffic set in WB lanes of 33rd St
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 19, 6:00 p.m.
AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Koyl Ave to Airport Dr.
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.
20TH ST W WB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE F S TO AVE G S
(Streetscaping)
Two way traffic will be accommodated in the EB lanes. Speed reduced to 30km/h
Start: August 7, 9:00 a.m. End: September 4, 6:00 p.m.
KINGSMERE BLVD ALL DIRECTIONS CLOSED AT AND WHITESHORE CR (E. LEG)
(Water pipe installation)
Bus routes will be affected. Please watch for temporary bus stop locations and allow extra time in case of delays. Call Saskatoon Transit at 306-975-3100
Start: August 7, 8:00 a.m. End: September 14, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map, find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

NEW
CIRCLE DR SB RAMP TO CIRCLE DR WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED
(Sound wall installation)
Start: September 2, 7:00 a.m. End: September 14, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 25TH ST W TO 24TH ST E
(Streetscaping)
Traffic will merge to one lane. Right turn from 25th St EB to Idylwyld Dr SB will be maintained
Start: September 2, 9:00 a.m. End: September 14, 6:00 p.m.
ONGOING
CENTRAL AVE 2-WAY TRAFFIC IN NB LANES FROM 110TH ST W TO 112TH ST W
(Streetscaping)
Start: August 25, 10:00 a.m. End: September 20, 7:00 p.m.
33RD ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE Y N TO AVE W N
(Water main lining)
Two-way traffic set in WB lanes of 33rd St
Start: August 22, 10:30 a.m. End: September 19, 6:00 p.m.
AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED ON FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in the SB lanes. 45th Street closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.
20TH ST W WB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE F S TO AVE G S
(Streetscaping)
Two way traffic will be accommodated in the EB lanes. Speed reduced to 30km/h
Start: August 7, 9:00 a.m. End: September 4, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map, find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @cityofsaskatoon and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

Starting Tuesday, September 2, 2014, City of Saskatoon (City) crews will begin annual winterization of the 409 irrigation systems in Saskatoon parks.  Winterization is an important maintenance procedure to help ensure the longevity of the City’s irrigation infrastructure.

Irrigation system winterization involves the use of large compressors that force air through the irrigation pipes, removing any residual water so it will not freeze in the pipes.  The City follows all Occupational Health & Safety regulations, and requests that the public respect and follow all signage at worksites.  The force of the air through the pipes shoots out water from the sprinkler heads at a high pressure and may pick up debris during this process.

To ensure public safety, residents are asked to please stay clear of all sprinkler heads and related winterization equipment during maintenance.

The winterization process is expected to take six weeks.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

Squeeze every last hour out of your day with Recreation and Sport’s new “Last Call” promotion.  Beginning Monday, September 1, 2014, patrons can take advantage of the final hour of operation at any City of Saskatoon Leisure Centre fitness and exercise room, walking track, and open gym seven days a week for a cheap $3 admission! 

The “Last Call” promotion is available at Cosmo Civic Centre, Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre, Lakewood Civic Centre, Lawson Civic Centre, Saskatoon Field House and Shaw Centre.  It is not offered at the Fitness Circuit & Terry Fox Track and excludes swimming and drop-in fitness classes.

For more information on the “Last Call” promotion and other Leisure Centre admission offerings, such as discounted Bulk Tickets and LeisureCards, visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/leisurecard.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.