Annual ridership has continued to grow year-over-year for Saskatoon Transit resulting in a 2.5 per cent increase.
A number of reasons including the implementation of high frequency corridors over the last three years has contributed to the ridership increase.
That’s according to Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. He says the high frequency corridors which include 8th Street and 22nd Street offer 10 minute frequency in both directions during the day.
McDonald adds the City is also seeing more people take rides in addition to a growing number of new riders. In 2018, Saskatoon Transit saw an increase of 8.1 per cent.
The Director of Transit attributes the growth that year to changes in bus routes and putting out more information for riders.
McDonald adds the growth in 2018 is pretty remarkable given that year saw a decline in many of the top 50 transit markets in North America. Access Transit saw a ridership increase of 2.2 per cent in 2019.
A bus stop audit started last year which includes the conditions of the stops. McDonald says he doesn’t want bus stop signs on trees or power poles anymore.
The audit will also look at whether or not a shelter is needed at a stop. The audit will be used to determine and identify what stops need infrastructure improvements the most in 2020.
In 2019, Saskatoon Transit purchased 7 new conventional buses, making the entire fleet 100 per cent accessible. 11 new buses were also purchased for Access Transit and upgrades were made to 23 bus stops and the Confederation and Market Mall bus terminals.
McDonald says with BRT scheduled to take effect on June 1st 2025, they won’t be implementing certain aspects of the program before the launch date.
“The intent behind the changes that we’re gonna make for BRT is that on the first of June 2025, we’re gonna do like Houston, Texas did, we’re gonna flip the switch and the new BRT system and the new transit routes to support that are gonna start on that day.”
McDonald says the idea behind the full switch to the BRT five years from now instead of a phased-in approach is to ensure that no part of the city receives better service than than the rest of Saskatoon.
