Saskatoon Transit and SGI have partnered once again to offer free evening bus service on New Year’s Eve.

Free service will be available on Sunday, December 31 from 7 p.m. until 3 a.m. on January 1 (times may vary slightly by route). Registered Access Transit customers can also reserve free service until 2 a.m. 

SGI has partnered with local transportation agencies in Regina, Moose Jaw, Prince Albert, and Saskatoon to help minimize the occurrence of driving while under the influence.

“Free service removes any financial barrier to planning a safe ride home after a night out,” says Cory Shrigley, Customer Service Manager, Saskatoon Transit. “We are thankful to have SGI as a partner to offer a safe alternative to impaired driving.”

Everyone is encouraged to think about using a variety of transportation modes on busy nights like New Year’s Eve. Plan your trip before heading out using the real-time mobile app Transit or Google Maps Transit. Multi-modal options are available to seamlessly integrate trips with Riide or Uber with Transit+. By combining transportation modes wait times and costs can be minimized.

Taking Transit makes transportation on New Year's Eve easier and safer. Leave your car at home and let Transit do the designated driving.

To learn more, visit SaskatoonTransit.ca or call 306.975.3100.

Direct bus service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to experience the Saskatchewan Rush take on the Albany Firewolves at SaskTel Centre on Sunday, December 31, at 7 p.m., is available at the following times:   

• 5:45 p.m. 
• 6:25 p.m.

Post-event drop-off is at the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted.    

Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre and other popular destinations can always be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.  

Direct bus service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to experience the Saskatoon Blades take on the Prince Albert Raiders at SaskTel Centre on Wednesday, December 27, at 7 p.m., is available at the following times:   

• 5:45 p.m. 
• 6:25 p.m.

Post-event drop-off is at the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted.    

Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre and other popular destinations can always be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.  

Direct bus service from the Special Events Stop (outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to experience Cirque du Soleil Corteo at SaskTel Centre is available at the following times this week:    

Thursday, December 21, at 7:30 p.m.

• 6:15 p.m.   
• 6:55 p.m.   

Friday, December 22, at 7 p.m.   

• 5:45 p.m.   
• 6:25 p.m.   

Saturday, December 23, at 11 a.m.

• 9:45 a.m.   
• 10:25 a.m.   

Saturday, December 23, at 3 p.m.

• 1:45 p.m.   
• 2:25 p.m.   

Saturday, December 23, at 7 p.m.

• 5:45 p.m.   
• 6:25 p.m.   

Sunday, December 24, at 1 p.m.

• 11:45 a.m.   
• 12:25 p.m.   

Post-event drop-off is the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted.

Plan your trip to events at SaskTel Centre on Route 333 using the Transit app up to two weeks in advance. Check out the Transit+ feature to help make connections that combine Transit with OnDemand Transit, riide, and Uber. Download the Transit app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre and other popular destinations can always be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.   

Direct bus service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to experience the Saskatoon Blades take on the Kelowna Rockets at SaskTel Centre on Saturday, December 16, at 7 p.m., is available at the following times:   

• 5:45 p.m. 
• 6:25 p.m.

Post-event drop-off is at the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted.

Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre and other popular destinations can always be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.  

Direct bus service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to experience the Saskatoon Blades take on the Kamloops Blazers at SaskTel Centre tonight (December 13) at 7 p.m., is available at the following times:   

• 5:45 p.m. 
• 6:25 p.m.

Post-event drop-off is at the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted.    
 
Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre and other popular destinations can always be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.  

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see the Saskatoon Blades take on the Red Deer Rebels at SaskTel Centre TONIGHT, December 8 at 7:00 p.m., is available at the following times:  

• 5:45 p.m.  
• 6:25 p.m. 

Direct service from the Special Events Stop to see the Saskatchewan Rush take on the Rochester Knighthawks on Saturday, December 9 at 7:00 p.m., is available at the following times:  

• 5:45 p.m.  
• 6:25 p.m. 

Direct service from the Special Events Stop to see the Saskatoon Blades take on the Calgary Hitmen on Sunday, December 10 at 4 p.m., is available at the following times:  

• 2:45 p.m.  
• 3:25 p.m. 

Post-event drop-off is the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or Transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted.  

Plan your trip to events at SaskTel Centre on Route 333 using the Transit app up to two weeks in advance. Check out the Transit+ feature that helps make connections that combine Transit with OnDemand Transit, riide, and Uber. Download the Transit app from the Apple Store or Google Play.    

Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre and other popular destinations can always be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.  

The all-in-one shopping experience is back for a seventh year! Ride to all the malls this holiday season by taking the Jingle Bell Express–Route 1225! 

Starting December 2, Saskatoon Transit will offer this service on weekends throughout the month, and again with free fare on Boxing Day. Two buses will run in opposite directions between Saskatoon's five malls–Midtown, Confederation, Lawson Heights, Centre and Market.

“The Jingle Bell Express is a great way for riders to get their holiday shopping done, travel to work along the route, or experience the bus to new locations. This festive service provides convenient and hassle-free travel without the stress or frustration of winter driving and full parking lots,” says Cory Shrigley, Customer Service Manager, Saskatoon Transit.

Saskatoon Transit's Route 1225 buses will display a "Jingle Bell Express" message when in service, play holiday music, and be festively decorated.

Route information:

• On weekends (Saturdays and Sundays) regular fares apply: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
  • Excluding December 30 and 31.
• Boxing Day (December 26) with free fare: 10:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Search Route 1225 in the Transit App or Google Maps Transit to plan a trip or consult the route schedule on Saskatoon Transit’s website or call Transit Customer Service (306.975.3100) for help with trip planning. 

Jingle Bell Express riders can complete a short survey by scanning the QR code posters on the buses to have a chance to win one of five gift cards sponsored by participating malls.

Catch the holiday spirit and learn more about the Jingle Bell Express.

The CUTA Awards honour and celebrate the achievements of individuals and organizations that go above and beyond to keep transit running.

Saskatoon Transit was named the winner of the 2023 Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) Innovation Award for using Preteckt’s AI-powered predictive maintenance technology to maintain its bus fleet. The award recognizes Saskatoon Transit’s excellence in using technology to make transit services more efficient.

“Keeping as many buses as possible on the road each day is critical for Saskatoon Transit to meet service demands,” says Tracey Davis, Fleet and Maintenance Manager, Saskatoon Transit. “Our enhanced preventative maintenance program with early detection predictive analysis is saving us money and increasing bus availability.” 

Preteckt’s predictive software sifts through millions of data points daily to catch problems before they cause bus breakdowns and empowers technicians with the insights needed to make early repairs. Saskatoon Transit piloted this technology with Preteckt in 2021 and then implemented the AI solution for its entire fleet in late 2022. 

Saskatoon Transit has not experienced service disruptions due to bus shortages since October 2022 due to intentional continuous improvement efforts, an enhanced preventative maintenance program and the partnership with Preteckt. 

“Innovation happens when leaders take risks. The Saskatoon leadership team led by taking a risk and agreeing to do a pilot test with Preteckt in late 2020, which has allowed them to continue seeing amazing results. The Saskatoon Transit maintenance team continues to innovate by combining technology with continuous improvement expertise driven by AI, thus allowing them to make data-driven decisions,” said Krish Inbarajan, CEO of Preteckt and APTA Board Member. “As an AI company, people make all the difference, and we salute the innovative team at Saskatoon Transit and thank them for trusting their entire fleet with us.”

During the award ceremony CUTA recognized this innovation with the following paragraphs: 

“Canadian start-up Preteckt partnered with Saskatoon Transit to implement their artificial intelligence (AI) for predictive maintenance. This AI, initially designed for heavy-duty trucks, analyzes vast data sets and uses AI to predict issues before they disrupt service. Despite initial skepticism, Saskatoon Transit embraced the innovation under CUTA’s Transit Vision 2040 theme, demonstrating leadership in Canadian transit.

The AI seamlessly integrates with Saskatoon Transit’s existing systems, enabling early issue detection and informed repair decisions, ultimately reducing costs. Saskatoon Transit stands as Canada’s pioneer in using AI for transit vehicle maintenance. This project’s success isn’t solely attributed to technology; it requires courage, effective leadership, and resource commitment. The process involved setting pilot objectives, procuring new technology, and integrating it into continuous improvement procedures. Training played a crucial role in implementation, with ongoing efficiencies anticipated.”

The Saskatoon Transit – Preteckt partnership highlights the integration of advanced technology, which will be essential to providing reliable, safe and efficient transportation services for a city that is planning for continued growth.

Saskatoon Transit service may be impacted by a rally Downtown this afternoon.  

The rally is expected to begin at Civic Square at 2:30 p.m. It will then proceed throughout Downtown before returning to Civic Square.  

Downtown road closures may significantly delay Transit routes and impact the ability for buses to enter the Downtown and the Downtown Transit Terminal. Expect delays and check real time bus information on the Transit app, Google and other third party trip planning apps.