Overcrowding on buses an issue every September: Saskatoon Transit
Rider upset after a number of buses pass her by because they are full
Nicole Erickson's move to the Lawson Heights area has been a bumpy ride when it comes to her transit options.
"Last week four to five buses drove past me (because they were full)," says Erickson.
Erickson says the only way she can get to the university area is on the No. 13 bus, and it takes about 30 minutes. The one other route she's found takes more than an hour, three transfers and a fair bit of walking.
"In the winter I don't want to be walking five to 10 minutes," she says.
Having a bus go past without stopping because it is full is something that happens every September when school begins, says director of Saskatoon transit Jim McDonald.
We are tweaking as much as we can to try and get fast frequency for everyone.- Director of Saskatoon Transit Jim McDonald
"We get this every year," McDonald says.
He says it gets better after a few weeks because people figure out their own schedules.
"It takes care of itself for the most part. (But) on those routes that are still problematic then we will look at what we can do with our extra resources."
People move, routes change: transit manager
McDonald says people move around the city from one year to the next and they have to tweak the routes.
"People coming in from the farm to go to university or finding a job in Saskatoon and coming to the city for the first time, they put an overload or stress on our system," he said.
He advises bus riders to also adjust their schedule.
"It might be to take the bus a little earlier," he says. "If the one you are taking at 8:45 is always full, catch the one at 8:30."
He says the transit will continue evolving to a rapid transit system.
"Our system will soon become a system of straight lines and if you want to turn a corner you are going to have to get off and get on another bus," he said.
with files from Saskatoon Morning