Mary Fedun, a regular Saskatoon Transit rider, described an incident on a bus that stank to high heaven, where a drunk passenger passed out, delaying her trip by nearly half an hour. She told city council last week that such occurrences are commonplace on routes like the 60 and 65 along 22nd Street, calling the situation insanity.
New transit bylaw aims to address chronic issues
The city council recently passed a new transit bylaw covering issues from sleeping on buses to transporting pets. It grants police officers more authority on buses, making it easier to remove problematic individuals. This bylaw is a precursor to a transit police program partially funded in November and expected to be fully operational by 2027.
Fedun emphasized that bus drivers should focus on driving, not on managing disruptive passengers. She noted that common decency has eroded and riders are worn out by the daily challenges.
Advocates and city officials weigh in
Robert Clipperton of Bus Riders of Saskatoon welcomed the bylaw as another tool for police, acknowledging that 100 percent enforcement is not the goal. He noted that operators can identify chronic offenders on their routes and that anti-social behaviours may stem from a small number of individuals. However, he cautioned about the bylaw's intentional vagueness, stressing that safety and perception of safety are not the same.
Coun. Randy Donauer assured Fedun that the transit police program, though not yet started, is the city's response to concerns. Coun. Robert Pearce asked Fedun how often she encounters issues; she replied, most days.
