High school students scramble after city bus routes cancelled

Nine city bus routes that normally stop at Saskatoon high schools were cancelled Wednesday in the latest round of service changes as the city and the Amalgamated Transit Union continue to work on a contract.

The cancellation notice didn’t come down until after 1 p.m., leaving less than an hour, in some cases, for people to adjust their commute.

Director of Saskatoon Transit Jim McDonald told 650 CKOM that they’re  trying to give people as much notice as possible prior to any changes.

In most cases, McDonald said, the routes being cancelled or changed are the ones used to accommodate an increase in passengers during rush hour.

“Be prepared for getting close to the other people that are traveling on the bus,” McDonald said. “Don’t be expecting to get on there and getting a seat.”

He said people are starting to get frustrated with the changes.

“The reliability issue is becoming a factor, but we’re really trying to maintain as much stability as we can,” he said.

McDonald expected to have an update late Wednesday with information on Thursday mornings commute.