News Releases

Saskatoon Transit is proud to announce that it received national recognition for its commitment to creating a safer environment for both employees and riders. The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) presented Saskatoon Transit with the 2025 Corporate Award for Safety & Security for its Frontline Employee Safety public awareness campaign at its awards ceremony in Montreal on November 5, 2025.

Launched in collaboration with ATU Local 615 in 2024, the Frontline Employee Safety Plan introduced 19 initiatives to address workplace safety concerns and improve security across the transit system. A key component was a public awareness campaign featuring real frontline employees sharing their stories through videos, radio and ads. This authentic approach fostered empathy, strengthened community trust and promoted respect for transit workers.

Impact highlights

• Generated more than 14 million impressions
• Contributed to a sharp decline in operator assaults, from nine in the first half of 2024 to zero in the second.
• Improved employee perceptions of safety and customer surveys showed rising confidence in transit safety.

This award underscores Saskatoon Transit’s leadership in safety innovation and its dedication to protecting those who keep our city moving.

CUTA is the national voice for urban transit in Canada, representing transit systems, municipalities and industry suppliers. Its awards program is regarded as the benchmark for excellence in the sector, celebrating organizations that set high standards for innovation, sustainability, safety and inclusivity.

For more information, visit cutaactu.ca/2025awards/ and watch campaign videos at saskatoontransit.ca/safety.

Courtesy of RBC Royal Bank, Saskatoon Transit will provide free service to the Remembrance Day event at SaskTel Centre on Tuesday, November 11. The program begins at 10 a.m., with buses leaving from:

• Downtown Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue):
  • Service every 20 minutes starting at 8:45 a.m., with the final bus leaving at 10:05 a.m.
• Market Mall:
  • Buses will depart the mall transit terminal at 9:45 a.m.
• Centre Mall:
  • Buses will depart the mall transit terminal at 9:45 a.m.

Return trips from SaskTel Centre will begin immediately following the close of the ceremony.

Free Service for Canadian Armed Forces 
Veterans and current Canadian Armed Forces members will be recognized with free transit service all day throughout the system on November 11.

This free bus service is available to veterans, current personnel, cadets, reservists, and a companion. Canadian Armed Forces Transit riders can identify themselves by wearing a military uniform or showing military ID or a CF1 card when boarding.

Providing free transit to veterans and current Canadian Armed Forces members is a way to recognize their significant dedication to the community and Canada.

Trips can be planned using the mobile app Transit or Google Maps Transit in advance to help find the best route.

For more information about Transit Remembrance Day hours and service, visit saskatoontransit.ca.

Saskatoon Transit will provide direct service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to SaskTel Centre for the following events this weekend:

Saskatoon Blades vs Moose Jaw Warriors 
Friday, November 7 at 7:00 p.m. 
Buses depart at:

• 5:45 p.m.
• 6:25 p.m.

Saskatoon Blades vs Calgary Hitmen
Saturday, November 8 at 7:00 p.m.
Buses depart at:

• 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. Typically, buses arrive onsite 30 minutes prior to the end of the event.

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.

Negative interactions on Saskatoon Transit buses have been trending down significantly since June of this year, a report to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation shows.

The Committee is set to receive this information at its regular meeting today.

“Saskatoon Transit implemented the Frontline Employee Safety Plan in June of 2024 and we see its desired effect,” says Mike Moellenbeck, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “We have fostered a culture of safety at Transit and since implementing all the elements of the plan we have seen a significant downward trend in the number of negative interactions reported on and around Saskatoon Transit facilities.”

A negative interaction is defined as an incident that involves up to three of the following:

• Act of Aggression – an action made with the intent to cause harm or intimidate.
• Assault – physical contact made with an Operator or person
• Body Fluid – blood, spit, urine, or feces
• Fare Dispute – a passenger refusing to pay fare after being advised by the Operator
• Harassment – a continued, and unwelcome behaviour directed towards an Operator
• Intoxicated – a passenger suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs impacting passenger or operators feeling of safety
• Road Rage – exchanges by motorists directed towards the Operator
• Sexual Harassment – comments or conduct of a sexual nature
• Verbal Altercation – exchange between passenger and Operator involving shouting and/or swearing
• Weapon – Sharp or bladed objects, blunt objects, non-lethal objects that can cause harm.

The most common incidents continue to be related to social disorder issues such as intoxication (56%) and aggressive acts (15%) making up 71 per cent of all 2025 incidents.

Moellenbeck says negative interactions involving an Operator have declined since 2023 and are trending to be lower in 2025.

The report points to an innovative interagency cooperation between Saskatoon Transit and key organizations such as the Saskatoon Fire Department, Saskatoon Police Service, and the Corps. Of Commissionaires, among others, that provide necessary safety measures.

Of note, Fire Community Support workers (FCS), provide a visible uniformed presence at terminals and ride an average of 220 buses per month to support Transit and the Business Improvement Districts.

“The program’s effectiveness is demonstrated by its supportive, non-enforcement approach, with the objective of de-escalating situations and providing outreach programs to those in need,” Moellenbeck says.

Transit has also introduced new training for its frontline employees on customer service, situational awareness and de-escalation. This training ensures employees are supported in their interactions with different types of customers.

Favourably, most incidents are handled by Transit and FCS; only about 11 per cent require Police intervention.

“We’re encouraged with the results so far,” Moellenbeck says. “The investments City Council has made on public safety are making Transit a more safe and comfortable way to get around.”

Saskatoon Transit will provide direct service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to SaskTel Centre for Skate Canada International this weekend:

Thursday, October 30 at 10:00 a.m. 
Buses depart at:

• 9:25 a.m.

Friday, October 31 at 4:15 p.m.
Buses depart at:

• 3:40 p.m.

Saturday, November 1 at 12:45 p.m. & 5:00 p.m.
Buses depart at:

• 12:10 p.m.
• 4:25 p.m.

Sunday, November 2 at 10:30 a.m.
Buses depart at:

• 9:55 a.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. Typically, buses arrive onsite 30 minutes prior to the end of the event.

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.

The City of Saskatoon will have a number of adjusted civic services and hours of operation on Family Day, Monday, February 17. Wondering what’s open or closed? 

• Looking for some fun activities to take in over the Family Day long weekend? 
• Swimming or skating?  
• A library or museum visit?  
• How about getting out for some fresh air at the zoo?  

The City has you covered on Family Day, Monday, February 17. 

Check full details here. 

Environment and Climate Change Canada has issued a Blowing Snow Advisory for Saskatoon and is currently forecasting as much as 15 cm of snow over a 36-hour period, beginning this afternoon. This may cause reduced visibility and mobility on roadways, and City crews are prepared to respond.

If conditions warrant, the City may declare a snow event (when more than 5 cm of snow falls). This would activate contractor graders to assist in clearing all priority streets within 72 hours.

Crews will closely monitor road conditions and address snow and ice along priority streets and busy intersections. However, strong winds may blow sand and salt off treated surfaces, potentially leading to icy spots as temperatures drop.

When approaching road maintenance equipment such as graders and snowplows with blue and amber flashing lights, give operators plenty of space to work safely.

For more information about winter road maintenance, visit saskatoon.ca/snow. Stay updated on current conditions through the Snow & Ice Report at saskatoon.ca/snowreport.

The watchful eyes and quick action of a Transit supervisor patrolling the downtown bus terminal earlier this week likely prevented bear spray incidents involving employees or customers.  

The Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) recently arrested several people related to the use and possession of bear spray between January 19 and 21.  In one incident on Tuesday, January 21, the patrolling Transit supervisor saw a group of people with cans of what looked like bear spray get on a bus; the supervisor immediately reported it to the SPS who subsequently searched the suspects and made arrests.   

Saskatoon Transit increased its uniformed presence in the bus terminals and on buses this year to improve safety for employees and customers.  

All supervisors and bus operators have a direct line to emergency services and protocol to follow when they notice suspicious activity.

University Bridge is closed due to an apparent encampment fire under the bridge. Traffic detours are in place. Fire crews remain on the scene; they are monitoring and extinguishing hot spots that have arisen due to the difficult access and confined space.  

City engineers have been on scene overnight, the bridge has been inspected and there are no structural concerns with the bridge. 

At 9:57 p.m. Sunday, January 19, the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) received a report of a fire underneath the University Bridge closest to the east riverbank. When SFD crews arrived they identified smoke and flames coming from underneath the University Bridge.  

 As a result of the fire, heat has melted the 400 mm sanitary sewer line under the bridge. This has led to a break in the sewer line and sewage is leaking onto the riverbank. The Water Security Agency has been notified. 

Water and Wastewater crews are working to set up a bypass for the sewer line and doing modelling to ensure there is enough capacity so residents don’t experience sewer backups.  

University Bridge is expected to remain closed to traffic for most of the day, however the south side pedestrian walkway will be open and accessible from the top. The Meewasin trail underneath the bridge on the east side of the river will remain closed due to the sewage leak.  

Saskatoon Transit will 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.