Saskatoon bus riders still face accessibility issues despite warm weather

Despite a week of warmer weather and melting snow, many Saskatoon transit riders say accessibility at bus stops hasn’t improved. Carla Shynkaruk reports.

An unseasonably warm week and melting snow across the city may have improved road conditions, but for many Saskatoon bus riders, accessibility issues at transit stops remain a serious concern.

Snowbanks, uneven footing and blocked access points continue to make getting on and off buses difficult, and in some cases dangerous, particularly for seniors, people with disabilities and those using mobility aids.

“This stop is just one example of what bus riders are facing,” Robert Clipperton, who runs the Bus Riders of Saskatoon Facebook page told CTV News.

“This winter has been particularly difficult for people riding the bus, and the city has had trouble keeping on top of it,” he said.

While roads have largely been cleared, snow pushed aside during plowing has often been piled directly where passengers need to board or exit buses. Photos shared by riders on social media show passengers stepping into snowbanks or navigating unstable footing just to access transit.

Clipperton says the issue goes beyond inconvenience.

“You had a strong, healthy-looking young guy getting off the bus in one photo,” he said. “But I can’t imagine how someone using a walker or pushing a stroller would manage.”

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He adds the risk of slipping or falling under a bus is a serious safety concern.

“When clearing snow, grader operators attempt to lift their blades at all bus stops to prevent snow piles; however, there are times when a location may be missed,” the City of Saskatoon said.

The city says most known problem locations have now been cleared.

However, even with recent improvements, accessibility for wheelchairs and other mobility devices remains limited at some stops.

Regular transit riders say they continue to see the impact.

“Riding the bus on a regular basis, I see a lot of seniors or people with disabilities getting on. It makes it difficult for them to be able to access the bus safely,” Dean McBain told CTV News.

With the city encouraging more residents to use public transit and future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) plans underway, advocates say ensuring accessible bus stops should be a priority.

“It should be taken care of regularly. We know our weather is unpredictable, but we have to be prepared for that,” McBain said.

Clipperton believes the biggest issue is a lack of consistency and communication between the city, Saskatoon Transit, and snow-clearing contractors.

“We need a consistent plan, and it would be helpful if we knew what that plan was,” he said.

The issue has clearly struck a chord with the public. A recent post highlighting accessibility concerns at a Saskatoon bus stop received more than 17,000 reactions online.

Anyone who encounters snow or accessibility concerns at a specific stop are encouraged to report the location, noting that it is a bus stop, to the customer care centre at 306-975-2476 so crews can investigate and respond.