Watch above: Lockout leaves Saskatoon Transit riders frustrated and stranded
SASKATOON – With only Access Transit running since the city locked out Saskatoon Transit workers, thousands people who rely on buses to get from point “A” to “B” have been forced to find other methods of transportation.
Despite the bumper to bumper parking lots, Nathan Thoen had no other choice than to ride to class.
“It’s extremely difficult to find parking around the university there’s no question there, you can see all these lots are just loaded and you have to pay a lot of money,” said Thoen, a University of Saskatchewan student and a transit user.
Read more: More parking at the University of Saskatchewan to deal with Saskatoon Transit lockout
It was like a parade for others, leaving their vehicles at home and either walking or biking.
“I had to leave about an hour earlier than I normally would,” said university student Ashton Brehm.
The bus terminal on campus is like a bee hive, buzzing with vehicles coming and going, dropping off and picking up students.
“Right now it’s not so bad but once it progresses further it’s going to ware on you having to make this long trip every day back and forth,” said Brehm.
“It’s pretty inconvenient, I have to be at school all day until 6:30 at night cause I can’t go home in between so I’m going to be here until 10 at night just because the bus isn’t working,” added university student Megan Ekstrand.
All over Saskatoon, bus stops have been quiet, while phones ring off the hook as people who normally take the bus make alternate arrangements.
The United Group, which operates United Cabs and BlueLine Taxi’s, has a fleet of over 90 cabs on the streets each day. On Sunday, a typical down day, business was comparable to a mid-day Thursday – Friday.
“We have busy times of the year, it’s just like Christmas time, volume goes up and it’s not always individuals who use the taxi throughout the year,” said Troy Larmer, general manager of United Group.
No buses has meant heavier traffic on Saskatoon roads.
“Bicyclists and pedestrians have as much responsibility to follow the rules of the road as motorists do and motorists need to be aware that there maybe more bikes out there, there maybe more people walking,” said Alyson Edwards, a spokesperson with Saskatoon Police Service.
It’s not known how long this transit lockout will last however the weather on the second full day of the lockout won’t last forever. Transit users hope a solution can be reached sooner rather than later.
While car or ride sharing are other options to get around, police are encouraging people to use common sense if with a stranger; ask a lot of questions, have a cellphone, report any suspicious activity and if your gut is telling you there is something strange, listen to it.
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