News Releases

Saskatoon Transit contracted the Canadian Urban Transit Research and Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC) through the National Planning Service for the Government of Canada’s Zero Emission Transit Fund, to create a comprehensive Zero Emissions Bus (ZEB) Implementation Plan. The plan assessed Saskatoon Transit's readiness to transition to a fully zero emission bus fleet.

The study considers economic, technological, social and environmental benefits, risks and constraints of investing in zero emission buses and supporting infrastructure in Saskatoon using three scenarios: full battery electric bus (BEB) fleet, full hydrogen fuel cell electric bus (FCEB) fleet and a fleet with a mix of both.

Both battery electric and hydrogen-powered buses rely significantly on the power grid for charging or fuel production. Saskatchewan power plants use fossil fuels such as coal and natural gas to generate electricity, which emit greenhouse gases and offset the benefits of reduced tailpipe emissions from zero emission buses.

Financial cost is also a significant factor, as the total life cycle cost (15 years) of a fleet of 100% FCEBs would cost $1.1 billion using current prices and $18.2 million for facility retrofits. A fleet of 100% BEBs would have a total life cycle cost (15 years) of $479.2 million and require $47.7 million in facility costs and on-route charging infrastructure.

“The data and analysis in the zero emissions bus study provide a roadmap for Saskatoon Transit to follow when power is generated by a higher proportion of renewable energy sources in Saskatchewan,” says Mike Moellenbeck, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “Saskatoon Transit will continue to monitor advancements in technology, funding programs and changes in the power grid to transition to ZEBs when it is feasible.”

"Transit decarbonization is a critical pathway to the reduction of emissions at the municipal level. But based on the carbon intensity of provincial grids, electrification is not always a slam dunk because of pollution from electrical grids,” says Josipa Petrunic, President and CEO of CUTRIC. “As the provincial grid system decarbonizes in upcoming decades, electrification will become a more viable option for cities like Saskatoon as they transition away from fossil fuels."

A new Transit fleet renewal strategy for annual diesel bus purchases will be presented to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation (SPCT) for consideration in June.

For more information, please refer to the Full-Fleet Zero Emission Bus Implementation Plan - CUTRIC Report on the agenda for today's SPCT meeting.

33rd Street will be closed at 6th Avenue on Wednesday, May 7, starting at 8:00 a.m. for water main work. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take one day to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

7th Avenue will be closed at Windsor Street on Wednesday, May 7, starting at 7:00 a.m. for construction. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take one day to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

LORNE AVE DRIVING LANES CLOSED AT 3RD ST E
(Sewer lining)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in parking lanes
Start: May 6, 8:00 a.m. End: May 6, 12:00 p.m.

20TH ST W ROAD CLOSED FROM AVE T S TO AVE U S
(Water main repair)
Start: May 6, 8:00 a.m. End: May 6, 4:30 p.m.

WARMAN RD NB CURB & CENTER LANES CLOSED FROM HAZEN ST TO CIRCLE DR E
(Catch basin repair)
Start: May 6, 11:00 a.m. End: May 6, 2:00 p.m.

ONGOING

CIRCLE DR W EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM AIRPORT DR TO AVE C N
(Street sweeping)
Start: May 5, 8:00 p.m. End: May 6, 6:00 a.m.

MARQUIS DR W EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR N TO THATCHER AVE
(Median concrete work)
Start: May 5, 7:00 a.m. End: May 8, 4:30 p.m.

AVE W S NB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM 11TH ST W TO APPLEBY DR
(Drilling)
Start: May 5, 7:00 a.m. End: May 8, 5:00 p.m.

11TH ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE W S TO AVE U S
(Drilling)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in WB lanes
Start: May 5, 7:00 a.m. End: May 8, 5:00 p.m.

AVE W S NB LANES CLOSED FROM DUDLEY ST TO 11TH ST W
(Drilling)
Start: May 5, 7:00 a.m. End: May 8, 5:00 p.m.

CUMBERLAND AVE S NB LANES CLOSED FROM TAYLOR ST E TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Sidewalk repairs)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in SB lanes
Start: April 28, 7:00 a.m. End: May 9, 5:00 p.m.

FEHEREGYHAZI BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM MCORMOND DR TO ORBAN WAY
(Construction)
Start: May 5, 7:00 a.m. End: May 9, 5:00 p.m.

RUSSELL RD SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM NORDSTRUM RD TO LENORE DR
(Concrete work)
Start: May 5, 7:00 a.m. End: May 11, 5:00 p.m.

24TH ST E WB LANES CLOSED FROM SPADINA CRES E TO 5TH AVE N
(Construction)
Start: April 28, 9:00 a.m. End: May 11, 5:00 p.m.

BERINI DR SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO WEBSTER ST
(Construction)
Start: March 17, 7:00 a.m. End: May 18, 5:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE S NB LANES CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO 14TH ST E
(Concrete replacements)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in SB lanes
Start: May 5, 7:00 a.m. End: May 18, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR W SB SHOULDER CLOSED; SPEED REDUCTION FROM GLENWOOD AVE TO 33RD ST W
(Jersey barrier placement)
Start: April 28, 7:00 a.m. End: June 2, 4:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 7:00 a.m. End: September 26, 2025, 5:00 p.m.

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

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

Starting May 7, 2025, residents can drop off their Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) every Wednesday at the Material Recovery Centre.

The weekly collection program makes it easier for residents to dispose of items that should not be thrown in regular garbage or recycling bins due to their potential harm to the environment and public health. Accepted items include aerosols, automotive fluids, cleaners, cylinders, light bulbs, yard chemicals and more. Complete lists of acceptable and unacceptable items are available at saskatoon.ca/hazardouswaste.

HHW will be accepted every Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Material Recovery Centre, located at 42 Valley Road.

The City encourages residents to take advantage of this free service to ensure these materials are handled in an environmentally responsible manner.

Reminders:

• The program is open to residents with household products only – no commercial loads will be accepted.
• Containers used for transporting HHW may not be returned to the participants.
• Please ensure all containers are safely sealed and clearly labelled.
• To avoid potentially long line-ups and wait times, ask the Waste Wizard at saskatoon.ca/wastewizard to find other means of recycling and safe disposal.

Thank you for helping us put waste in the right place.