‘Traffic is already really bad’: Drivers question logic of rapid transit changes

WATCH: As more new rapid transit platforms surface around Saskatoon, some residents are questioning the rationale behind the city's plans.

As new transit platforms surface around Saskatoon for the city’s bus rapid transit system (BRT), residents are raising concerns and confusion.

Many fear the changes will hinder instead of help traffic flow.

Cory Kingsfield drives the stretch of Warman Road at Assiniboine Drive daily, and says the new BRT station just added there is perplexing.

“The traffic is already really bad on Warman Road here during those peak hours,” he explained.

“This particular intersection with the new bus station, it’s bottlenecking that intersection because they took out a lane.”

He’s not alone with his worries. Many are sharing similar concerns on social media, expressing confusion with the rationale behind the changes.

Kingsfield has experience in the transit business, once working as a driver in Alberta, while also worked in planning.

“They’re just slowing down traffic for this quicker bus service. That’s not going to be any quicker, because for them to do what they need to do in order to have a rapid transit system, they need dedicated lanes.”

Rob Dudiak, manager of projects for the City of Saskatoon, says of the 110 new transit stops that will be part of the plan, 14 have had lanes removed for various reasons.

“The reason for that is about improving pedestrian safety and accessibility at those intersections,” he explained.

“It just adds to that safety for people walking through those intersections.”

The intersection at McKercher Drive and 8th Street used to have a turning lane on the northeast corner in front of the 7/11 store, but that was removed this summer. Traffic will now have have to line up in the right lane to both go straight and turn, meaning more traffic lining up at the light.

Many question why there isn’t a bump-out area for the bus to turn off the road and stop, rather than taking up a lane of traffic. Dudiak says that will happen in some places.

“When there is a lay-by or a bump-out, the bus has to do a merge back into the flow of traffic, so to prevent that sort of friction point, we don’t include them at every location.”

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The bus lanes are still able to be utilized by regular drivers once the system is put into place - but there is the chance of becoming stuck behind a stopped bus.

Kingsfield doesn’t feel a sense of confidence in the plan to keep traffic moving.

“It doesn’t make sense in our climate, to spend that kind of money on something that they don’t need to spend it on. It doesn’t make sense to me.”

The city has held public info sessions on the BRT since its conception seven years ago, with another planned Wednesday, specifically for businesses and property owners. Public sessions are also scheduled for Thursday and Oct. 27.

Forty-one of the new platforms with a yellow section bordering the roadway are now complete. More are scheduled to be completed next construction season, with a final launch date in 2028.