Saskatoon's Bus Rapid Transit launch delayed by one year to 2029

SASKATOON · Saskatoon's full-scale Bus Rapid Transit system, known as Link, will launch one year later than planned. A report going to the city's Governance and Priorities Committee next week states the new target for a full operational launch is summer 2029. The delay is attributed to the redesign and approval process for the First Avenue South corridor. The project's director said construction on that key section will require at least one full season. Mike Moellenbeck, director of Saskatoon Transit, said the completion of the First Avenue corridor and its dedicated centre-running lanes remains an obstacle to a 2028 launch. "Alongside that, having transit hubs open and operational, these are key pieces of infrastructure, and having those in place helps make sure that we are ensuring a launch that is set for success," he added. His report for the committee meeting states that construction requiring at least one full season in 2028 means the corridor will not be complete by that summer.

The delay follows a city council decision in late April 2026 to pause plans for the BRT corridor between 19th Street and 25th Street. Council asked administration to review the accessibility plan with an advisory committee and report back with broader operational considerations. At that time, Terry Schmidt, general manager of transportation and construction, warned that changes could require federal approval and push back the timeline. Council voted 6-4 in late September to proceed with a recommendation from administration.

Moellenbeck said detailed design work on the First Avenue portion is now underway. "Completion by July 2028 isn't going to be feasible," he said. Despite weather-related delays this season, work along the College Drive corridor is expected to be completed and operational from Clarence Avenue to Preston Avenue by the end of 2027. The BRT project will now be phased in, with some service improvements starting as early as January 2027. Those early improvements include new bus shelters with on-demand heat, next-bus displays and CCTV. The city also plans neighbourhood service expansion, including to Aspen Ridge, and will implement transit signal priority and queue-jump lanes as they are built. Darcy Pederson, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, said he was surprised to learn of the overall project timeline delays.

The delay carries financial implications. According to the report, operating requirements for the increased service delivery were estimated at $11 million in the 2026-27 budget submission. That figure has now increased to $13.5 million. Any additional capital costs have not yet been presented to council. The report will be presented to city councillors at the Nov. 10 Governance and Priorities Committee meeting.

With files from 650 CKOM