Those itching to ride the new Bus Rapid Transit system, or LINK, will have to wait just a little bit longer.  

Saskatoon Transit Director Mike Moellenbeck says the City of Saskatoon has pushed the launch date of the BRT back to July of 2029 to avoid kicking the system off amid several major construction projects.

“Launching as we had previously anticipated, in 2028, would have meant that we would have been in the middle of construction of the 1st Avenue corridor,” he explains. “A significant amount of construction is going to be required, and it’s a lot of infrastructure that will help for a more reliable and resilient transit system.”

 Moellenbeck explains that several other BRT-related construction projects will be underway leading up to 2029, such as bus signal upgrades, addressed capacity concerns, and new bus shelters with automatic heat, next-bus displays, and CCTV cameras, which are all beginning in 2027.

Also leading up to 2029, transit staff will take part in training, which has already begun. Right now, drivers are practicing operating through dedicated center bus lanes, understanding new bus signal cues, and moving in and out of stations efficiently. 

He adds that the 2029 launch date will also allow the remaining estimated $9.2 million in operating phase-ins to be split over the 2028 and 2029 budget cycles, rather than mainly in 2028.

Members of the public can engage with the City on the project via an online survey, or they can attend one of several upcoming open houses. 

Administration will present the new rollout plan at the Governance and Priority Committee Meeting next week.