Saskatoon buses equipped with discreet emergency alert system

WATCH: With transit safety still a concern for Saskatoon riders, a reminder about a key tool bus drivers can use to signal distress to passersby in emergency si

With transit safety still on the minds of many who ride the bus in Saskatoon, there’s a reminder about a tool bus drivers can use that everyone in our city should be aware of.

The emergency alert is one more way bus drivers can let passersby know there’s an issue on the bus; however, despite the measures in place, the transit union is still seeing the same number of attacks on buses.

The City of Saskatoon explains on its website how the extra security feature works. It says if a driver feels safety is at risk and doesn’t want to alert anyone on the bus, they press a discreet button, which puts a notice on the front of the bus for passersby to see.

According to the city website, if you see a bus with a head sign message that reads “emergency,” “call police,” or “call 911,” you should immediately dial 9-1-1 and provide the bus location. Police will dispatch officers.

“Do not attempt to board the bus or draw attention to bus for everyone’s safety.”

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Robert Clipperton of Bus Riders of Saskatoon agrees that any safety measure is a step in the right direction. However, he suggests a more effective solution might be a “see something, say something” phone line, similar to one used in Vancouver, where riders can report incidents to a manned line while buses are in operation.

Clipperton says the city has told his group it’s looking into this concept, and they await word this summer.

“There’s been situations where an operator has pressed the covert alarm to initiate the emergency signage, alerting the public to call the police. It hasn’t made any difference in the issues we’re seeing on buses as of late with bear spray, knives and assaults,” Darcy Pederson, head of the transit union, said in an email to CTV News.

“What we need is security on buses to create a safe working environment for our operators and a safe riding environment for our passengers.”

Clipperton agrees, saying it’s a complex issue that needs to be well thought out and have funding in place to make measures effective.

The head of the transit union says this reminder is a good idea for the public to be vigilant and call 911 if they see this warning on a bus but adds there’s more work to be done to keep our buses safe.

Police meanwhile advise the public that if anyone sees the display, their call to 911 should include the bus number and location.

The city confirms the covert alarm has seldom been used over the years, but bus drivers do have a radio connection to any emergency services they might need.