News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
Transit service strained by global auto parts shortage: recovery plan in place
March 2, 2022 - 10:06am
- Buses are being sent to third party garages to add to maintenance resources.
- Buses with long term defects or parts that are not available or delayed are being used to fix other buses.
- Check Engine Light calls are being investigated and sent back on the road more quickly.
- Issues that do not involve Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning, brakes or steering are quickly checked and sent back on the road if it is safe to do so. HVAC, brakes and steering issues that need repair are booked for a mechanic as soon as possible, however fixing the issue is contingent on parts availability.
- Working with nearby Transit properties to determine what parts can be accessed from them. Transit has also been working with parts distributors to get as many parts as possible.
- To ensure more parts are on-hand, maximum/minimum stock levels have been changed for high-demand parts or for parts that take longer to obtain.
- Maintenance staff have been working overtime.
Saskatoon Transit continues to deliver service as world-wide supply chain shortages put a strain on service.
“The ability to source and obtain parts in a timely manner because of the parts shortages related to the pandemic and other recent events, globally and nationally, have been major contributing factors to getting buses repaired and quickly back into service,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit.
McDonald says the challenges in obtaining parts in a timely manner, as well as increased probability of mechanical breakdowns with an aging fleet, differentiates this winter from other winters with prolonged extreme cold weather events.
“Fortunately, the extreme cold weather has subsided, but it will take a few days to address the backlog of mechanical repairs.”
What Transit is doing:
On average, Saskatoon Transit has been about five to ten buses short during weekdays. We know service cuts of any kind have a significant impact on those that rely on Transit Services. The team at Transit considers all options when required to make service reductions and decisions are based on minimizing impacts to riders.
The service impact is a reduction in some neighbourhood frequency, but no routes are completely cancelled and service to High Schools is covered, however riders may need to take alternate routes.
Solutions to get more buses on the road:
Tips for Transit riders:
Service alerts are posted to the Transit app and Google Maps Transit as soon as possible however riders are encouraged to check for service alerts one hour before they travel. Riders can “pin” the routes taken most often in the Transit app to receive push notifications about service disruptions. Alerts are also posted every morning and afternoon to SaskatoonTransit.ca/service-alerts and Twitter (@StoonTransit), with periodic updates as the situation changes. Riders can also call the Customer Service Centre at 306-975-3100 for updates (7:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. M-F).
If there is a service disruption on your route, riders can use the trip planning function in the transit app or Google Maps to find an alternate route. Simply type in where you are and where you want to go.
Saskatoon Transit thanks riders for their patience during this challenging time.
Dry storm pond in W.W. Ashley District Park is first of nine planned Flood Control Strategy projects
March 1, 2021 - 8:02am
The City’s Flood Control Strategy (FCS), approved by City Council in 2018, is underway with the construction of a dry storm pond in W.W. Ashley District Park. It is the first of nine planned projects that will help reduce flooding in Saskatoon’s most flood-prone areas between now and 2027. Excavation in the park began in mid-February and the project will wrap-up later this year.
“Saskatoon already has eight dry storm ponds, mostly in neighbourhoods built after storm water infrastructure standards were established in 1989,” says Director of Saskatoon Water, Russ Munro. “The areas we are focusing on now are ones that were established prior to that and have a history of flooding properties and intersections.”
Dry storm ponds are designed to hold water that would otherwise cause nearby flooding during intense rainfalls. The water flows from properties and roads into the dry storm pond, then slowly drains into the storm sewer. Whenever dry, it is used as park space.
Next on the list of dry storm pond construction approvals, is one in Churchill Park. If approved by City Council on March 22, Saskatoon Water will move forward with design plans and proceed with construction in 2022.
“We will plan public engagement sessions in advance of any work happening to provide more information, hear from residents and answer any questions,” says Munro.
The dry storm pond projects include pond construction as well as upgrades to nearby storm water and sewer infrastructure.
The Government of Canada is contributing 40% of the eligible construction costs up to a maximum of $21.6 million toward nine FCS projects. The City is funding the remaining construction costs through Storm Water Utility charges.
For more information about the FCS, and to subscribe to Flood Protection Plan updates, visit saskatoon.ca/floodplan.
City declares March Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month
March 1, 2021 - 6:16am
The City recognizes March annually as Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month. This year, in order to recognize the occasion while keeping everyone safe, the City released a video in lieu of hosting an in-person event. The Virtual Proclamation and Opening Ceremony includes remarks from Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark; Chief Commissioner of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission (SHRC), David Arnot; Chair of the City’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Namarta Kochar; and Leader of Black Lives Matter YXE, Delilah Kamuhanda.
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark says: “The reality that systemic racism continues to cause harm to people in the BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ communities has become front and centre this past year. Increased awareness is leading to a sense of hope that we can bring about real change. Change means breaking down systemic barriers so that people experience the same opportunity to contribute and participate in society regardless of skin colour, ethnicity, or sexual identity. As we declare March Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month, it is a chance for all of us in our neighbourhoods, schools, families, and workplaces to redouble our efforts and resolve to build our community together.”
SHRC Chief Commissioner David Arnot says: “Racism and discrimination do exist in our community, but we are making inroads and will continue to do so. Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month encourages us to focus on what needs to change. As responsible citizens, and members of one human family, we must be the agents of that change in order to secure every person’s right to live with dignity, respect, and equality.”
Following is a list of some notable dates for the month:
March 1 – Flag Raising & Video Commemoration: The Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Flag has been raised in Civic Square. In keeping with COVID-19 restrictions, a commemorative video was released in lieu of an in-person ceremony.
March 10 – Living in Harmony Nomination Deadline: Last day to submit a nomination for a local organization, individual, or student(s) for outstanding achievements contributing to the elimination of racial discrimination.
March 19 – Presentation of Living in Harmony Awards: Recognizing award recipients for their efforts in being the bridge to end racism. This year's presentation will take place virtually and be available for viewing at saskatoon.ca/livinginharmony.
March 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Observed annually in acknowledgment of this day in 1960 when peaceful demonstrators were killed in South Africa for speaking out against apartheid.
For more information about Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month, please visit saskatoon.ca/RaceRelations.
Phase 1 of ePermitting launches with online building, development and plumbing permits.
February 28, 2022 - 9:44am
Starting March 1, 2022, building, development and plumbing permits can be done completely online through the City of Saskatoon’s new ePermitting system. This new ePermitting system will let people apply for permits, track the progress of the application and even request inspections all digitally – reducing the need for in-person visits to City Hall and increasing transparency around the permitting process.
“The ePermitting system will allow the permitting process to become inherently digital,” says Kara Fagnou, Director of Building Standards. “It houses a vast library of pre-configured permit types to meet most business needs, includes email notifications that are automatically triggered and offers mobile capacity to support field inspection staff.”
Service Saskatoon and Building Standards staff will still be available via phone, or where needed, in person, but the ePermitting system will remove the need for most residents and businesses to travel to City Hall for permitting assistance.
“The launch of ePermitting is a key step for Building Standards toward its goal of being a national leader in permit turnaround times,” says Fagnou. “We are always looking for ways to streamline and improve our business processes. To support ePermitting, we have also streamlined our internal workflows and updated many of our procedures to help meet customers’ needs in the most efficient way possible.”
For more information, please visit saskatoon.ca/buildingstandards, or call 306.975.2645. Customers can register an account and login to the ePermitting system starting March 1 at saskatoon.ca/ePermitting.
Speed Limit Review
February 24, 2021 - 7:43am
- Feedback on the possibility of reducing the speed limit in residential areas from 50 km/h to either 40 km/h, or 30 km/h
- Feedback on possible changes to speed limits in school zones, playground zones, and areas with a high number of seniors
Vehicle speeds on residential streets and pedestrian safety are the top concerns among residents who have participated in neighbourhood traffic reviews (NTRs) throughout Saskatoon since the program’s inception in 2013. The City of Saskatoon will present a roadmap of the reporting strategy for the review of speed limits on neighbourhood streets to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation, March 1, 2021, after which the public will be able to provide feedback online.
“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Many cities across Canada, and the world, have successfully implemented reduced speed limits in their jurisdictions. Before making any changes, we want to inform, educate, and get meaningful feedback from citizens in order to make the right decisions with the right outcomes,” says Jay Magus, Director of Transportation.
The review will consider revisions (including speed limit reductions) to posted speed limits on neighbourhood streets to improve safety in residential, school and playground areas.
The scope of the public engagement for the Speed Limit Review will include:
People are invited to participate in providing feedback on the Speed Limit Review project by visiting www.saskatoon.ca/engage/speed-limit-review and by taking the survey, which will go live starting March 2 and stay open until April 30, 2021. Comments will also be received by email at speedlimitreview@saskatoon.ca. The survey will also be conducted by telephone using a random sampling method.
The City of Saskatoon’s Speed Limit Review supports the Strategic Goals of Moving Around and Quality of Life in the city.
Note: In general, speed limit changes / reductions on major arterial roads (i.e. 22nd Street, McOrmond Drive) are not being considered as part of this review.