What to expect from Saskatoon's Bus Rapid Transit green line

Saskatoon will change for the better when the city's planned rapid transit system is up and running, according to a transit and city planning expert.

Ehab Diab, an assistant professor in the department of geography and planning at the University of Saskatchewan, said on CBC's Saskatoon MorningTuesday that the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system "is a long overdue project."

"It has been seven years in making, but the change itself can happen overnight when you open the new transit network."

On Nov. 16, Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark, alongwith provincial and federal officials, announcedabout $152 million in combined money forvarious projects in Saskatoon. The vast majority $111.4 million is forBRT-related projects, including55 new zero-emission and diesel-fuelled buses, improving road infrastructure,and installing a fibre optic network that would create a more intelligent and efficient commute.

Of that money, $21.4 million is purely for creating the first rapid transit line, the green line.

The city hopes another twolines red and blue aren't far behind. Itsaid it's finishing up proposals for the other routes within the next month, and will then send them off to the federal government in hopes of more funding.

Mike Moellenbeck, the new director of transit for Saskatoon, said thenew green line will runfrom Attridge to 22nd Street.

"Frequency is going to be up to every 10 minutes," said Moellenbeck.

"So that means people could be waiting approximately five minutes on average for a bus coming down the road there."

The BRT bus schedule is expected operate with peak frequency from 6a.m. to 6p.m. CST., with less frequentservice until 1:00 a.m.

LISTEN | What exactly is Bus Rapid Transit?:

Saskatoon Morning7:25What exactly is Bus Rapid Transit? We get some answers from those in charge of implementing the BRT

Bus rapid transit aims to fundamentally change the car-centric, suburban culture of our city. The plan is to get buses running up and down major Saskatoon streets every few minutes, and with a huge influx of money from the three levels of government, it's one step closer to reality. To help us answer questions about the BRT, host Candice Lipski talks with Rob Dudiak, Special Projects Manager with the City, and Mike Moellenbeck, Director of Saskatoon Transit.

The city is also looking to have six "park and ride" locations where cyclists can lock up their bikesand hop on a bus.

Diab said the high frequency will result in more riders, but should still help with overcrowding.

According to the mayor, there are 21,000 monthly bus pass owners, and that number does not include all of the students using the UPass.

Clark said no matter who the next prime minister is, he will work with them to further transit.

"It's absolutely crucial that we keep providing better and better transit services," said Clark.

Current transit barriers

Diabsaid the BRT will alleviate some issuescurrent transit users face.

"I think the land use and the design of the streets can be a major barrier for people to access the buses," said Diab.

Diab said the city should focus on the land around theBRTas well.

"Having better design, limiting parking spaces, having more diversity in terms of uses and density around this location will all help in actually improving the service, getting more people riding the buses and decreasing the barriers of using the transit service."

Diab said thecity should prioritizea marketing campaign that distinguishes the BRT from the regular bus service.

"All the people have this perception that regular bus service is not that good, but we have to make this distinction," said Diab.

"The new BRT system is different, it's more frequent."

The city says it will need three full construction seasons to finish the green line infrastructure, which will include new bus stations, buses and more.

Now that the green line funding is secured, discussions are underway to determine an exact date for the start of service, but some of the pieces of BRTare expectedto be revealed in summer2024.