New Saskatoon bus rapid transit lines revealed

The City of Saskatoon has revealed the routes for its new bus rapid transit lines, including the addition of a third line since city council approved the planin November.

The new systemconsists of three major lines:one moving north and south, and two others crossing east and west.

The green line will stretch from University Heights, through the downtown area and endatConfederation Mall.

A long stretch of that route will parallel the red line in an effort to improve the frequency of buses along the busier sections of22ndStreet, downtown and College Drive.

Plan to improve frequency

Lesley Anderson,the city's director of planning and development, said buses should be arriving less than 10 minutes apart.

Anderson said the buses will be able to move faster becausesome intersections with traffic lights willbe set up so bus movementcan beprioritized.

The new bus shelters will be much bigger and provideheat at the push of a button.

Theywill alsoinclude information on when the next bus is set to arrive.

Heated shelters

A decision has not been made ontherapid transit lines' schedule,but Anderson said it would likely be between around6 a.m. and 6 p.m. CST.

City councillors have approved the roughly $120-million project.

The goal is to change the current "hub and spoke"model, which centres around major transit terminals downtown and at the university.

Anderson said construction could start in 2019, and the city is aiming for a three-year build.