News Releases

Beginning today, Saskatoon Transit riders will have an opportunity to view their community in a new way as submissions from local photographers will be featured inside Saskatoon Transit buses as part of the Toon’s On Transit Exhibition.

The exhibit is possible through a unique partnership between Saskatoon Transit and PAVED Arts which is a non-profit, community-based organization that helps artists and independent producers exhibit the P.A.V.E.D. arts: Photography, Audio, Video, Electronic, and Digital.

“This partnership is a natural fit for us,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “The photographs in this exhibition showcase the diversity of Saskatoon through the eyes of our residents and present interesting snapshots of our city. Saskatoon Transit is proud to support community initiatives such as this one, which allow residents from every neighbourhood in Saskatoon to experience a piece of our local arts.”

Named after the popular Toon’s Kitchen restaurant that once stood where PAVED Arts has its gallery on 20th Street, Toon’s On Transit focuses on exhibiting locally produced art work.

After an open call for photographs that “reflect our city through the eyes of its people,” PAVED Arts received over 300 submissions in two months. A community jury reviewed each of the entries and narrowed them down to the 35 images that will be featured on Saskatoon Transit buses between Sept. 15 and Nov. 8.

“The response from residents to Toon’s On Transit has been overwhelming, from shutterbugs and artists of all skill levels,” says Alex Rogalski, Executive Director of PAVED Arts. “We are delighted to share the works of these 35 talented people with the rest of the city in such a unique and all-inclusive space such as our shared buses.”

During the exhibition period, 35 Saskatoon Transit buses will showcase the work of the selected photographers with each bus featuring a different image. A “super bus” will also be in rotation, serving as a mobile gallery featuring 10 of the photographs from the collection.

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.

From the September 14, 2015 Committee Meetings

SPC on Transportation

7.1.1 Railway Delays (Delegated Authority Matters)

*The next update report is to be presented to the Committee early in 2016, that representatives from CN and CP be invited to attend.

Background

*In January, City Council resolved that a committee be established between the City of Saskatoon and the Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Railways to develop solutions to reduce delays resulting from at-grade railway crossings. Two meetings have been held since and discussions to address operational issues in the southwest portion of the city are ongoing with Canadian National Railway. Traffic and rail data are being collected to quantify the delays. Conceptual plans for grade separations are underway at priority crossings.

7.2.1 Uber Technologies (Matters Requiring Direction)

*The City will communicate its support to the Province for the regulation of Transportation Network Companies and others offering rides for service at a provincial level.
*Administration will coordinate a provincial effort with SUMA and the other Saskatchewan Cities.

7.2.6 Plan for Saskatoon Transit 2015 (Matters Requiring Direction)

*the Plan for Saskatoon Transit 2015 report will be forwarded to City Council for information.

Background

*A new Section will be implemented immediately, focused on customer service and engaging with customers, community partners and staff.
*Saskatoon Transit services will transition over time as the Growth Plan’s Long Term Transit Plan is implemented.
*In 2017, Saskatoon Transit will move out of its current location. The move will require operational and scheduling changes for all employees but will be transparent to riders.
*To meet the expectations of riders, Transit must continue to become more reliable, effective and accessible.
*A critical demographic is those individuals who may not be able to continue driving yet do not meet the criteria to use Access Transit services.
*Saskatoon Transit must continue to renew its fleet with the target of being 100% accessible by 2018.
*Over time, additional resources will be required at Transit to better support drivers and customers.

8.1 College Drive Classification (Urgent Matter)

*The committee recommended to City Council: That the additional access point from College Drive into the Brighton neighbourhood be configured as outlined in the report of the General Manager, Transportation and Utilities.

SPC on Environment, Utilities & Corporate Services  

7.2.1 Diversity and Inclusion Report (Matters Requiring Direction)

*The report will be forwarded to City Council for information.

Background

*The Diversity and Inclusion Report shows the City’s current employment equity statistics, goals, and plans for continuous improvement.

7.2.3 Public Space Recycling RFP Results (Matters Requiring Direction)

*The committee recommends to City Council: the RFP for Public Space Recycling issued in July 2015 be canceled and that Administration proceed with interim solutions and continue to develop a long-term plan for the program, reporting back with program options by April 2016.

Background

*An RFP for a Public Space Recycling Service was issued in July 2015 and two proposals were received. The Evaluation Team was disappointed with the quantity and quality of the proposals, and had expected a greater degree of interest and more innovative proposals. Because there was nothing innovative, Administration recommended the RFP be canceled and advised what the City can do in the interim and offer long-term solutions to this matter.

7.2.4 Efficient Waste System Project Update (Matters Requiring Direction)

*The report will be forwarded to City Council for information.

Background

*On July 17, 2013, City Council approved a $1.2 million Productivity Improvement Loan and award of contract for the Garbage Service Verification (Efficient Waste) System.
*The report provides an update on the Efficient Waste System Project that will provide improved service and cost savings in the delivery of garbage (black cart) and leaves and grass (green cart) collections.

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Newly proposed waste collection routes will improve service, create cost savings, and reduce emissions for the collection of black garbage carts as well as green leaves and grass carts.

This is the conclusion of an update on the Efficient Waste System Project carried at City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities, and Corporate Services on September 14, 2015.

“Tracking and reporting will be improved through the use of identification tags on carts, which will be scanned when carts are emptied to verify the collection in real time,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental & Corporate Initiatives. “Carts that are unable to be collected will be logged through photos taken by the truck operators.”

In 2014, 95% of the 70,000 collection carts in service received identification tags. City Administration is currently developing a plan to efficiently complete tag installation and replacement, which may include asking residents to put carts at the curb on a specific date.

“New routes and collection days, to be launched January 2016, are optimized to be more efficient by being as short and direct as possible with reduced back-tracking for trucks.”

The new system will be capable of monitoring a number of performance metrics that will improve the reliability and efficiency of City services, reduce fuel use, and reduce emissions from our fleet. Information is instantly relayed to the customer service centre to answer any inquiries.

Billing and collections for commercial garbage pick-up will also be improved through this system with onboard computers installed for operators to log all tips of commercial bins.

Residents will receive more information on the new schedules when they receive their 2016 Collection Calendar.

Increased efficiency of waste collection supports the City’s Strategic Goal of Asset and Financial Sustainability and being the best-managed city in Canada.

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

EXPECT DELAYS: IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 19TH ST & SID BUCKWOLD BRIDGE
(Bridge Maintenance)
1st Ave SB curb lane closed between 19th St & Sid Buckwold Bridge
Start: September 14, 7:00 a.m. End: October 4, 6:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB/SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANES CLOSED  AT CLAYPOOL DR
(Road construction)

Claypool Dr WB closed from Airport Dr to McClocklin Rd
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: October 27, 6:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E NB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT HWY 11/16 CLOVERLEAF OVERPASS
(Deck repairs)
Start: September 15, 7:00 a.m. End: September 18, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR S WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT VALLEY RD OVERPASS
(Storm sewer inspection)
Start: September 15, 9:00 a.m. End: September 15, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

HWY 11/16 WB OVERPASS CLOSED AT CLOVERLEAF INTERSECTION
(Overpass repair)
Two EB lanes and one WB lane will be maintained on the EB overpass
Start: July 24, 7:00 a.m. End: September 30, 5:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST CLOSED FROM LORNE AVE & BRAND RD
(Force main installation)
Start: August 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 30, 5:00 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 and subscribe to Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

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.