Saskatoon Transit targets new neighbourhoods with bus service on demand

Getting around Saskatoon is about to get much easier, thanks to a new service from Saskatoon Transit.

The city is adding designated stops to help connect the new neighbourhoods of Brighton, Rosewood, North Kensington and Blairmore, and service will be available on demand through a new app.

Tracey Davis, interim director with Saskatoon Transit, said this will make a huge difference for those living in these communities.

“We’re excited to introduce our new on-demand transit program,” Davis said. “It will provide on-demand transit from an on-demand stop to a hub.”

Davis said Saskatoon Transit has been working on increasing its service in these communities for about a year, and is ecstatic about rolling it out this summer.

“(It) provides that option for transit (users) where they traditionally haven’t had a regular transit service,” Davis said. “This program will provide more efficiency and provide better services to our customers providing that hub-to-stop model.”

Davis said residents can start booking trips on the “Saskatoon Transit OnDemand” mobile app starting Tuesday.

“There’s three ways to book a trip,” Davis said. “You can book a trip as soon as possible, you can book a trip on a pickup time, and you can book based on an arrival time.”

The transit service’s website and phone system will still work to book trips even after the app is rolled out.