Councillors offer feedback after Regina Transit Challenge

The Transit Challenge in Regina identified both the good and the bad in the city’s bus system.

The challenge was issued to Mayor Sandra Masters and city council, encouraging them to rely exclusively on Regina Transit for transportation over two full days, and then share their experiences.

While three of the 10 councillors – Ward 1’s Cheryl Stadnichuk, Ward 3’s Andrew Stevens and Ward 8’s Shanon Zachidniak – took up the challenge, Masters said she couldn’t participate due to her busy schedule.

“Because I’m here and I’m there and I’m everywhere, we didn’t build the transit system to accommodate that kind of back-to-back bookings,” Masters said in a statement.

While the mayor didn’t participate, a staff member from Masters’ office did take up the challenge and share feedback, organizers noted.

The feedback from the challenge was both positive and negative.

On the positive side, some found great uses for the extra time spent on the bus, including reading, chatting with other riders, preparing for work or unwinding after a long day.

On the other side of that coin, the negative feedback identified some areas where improvements could be made.

“Frequency is the main obstacle when it comes to transit replacing the need for my vehicle,” one respondent said.

Another asked for better service on Sundays and holidays.

Others noted that buses were very busy with standing room only on popular routes, and ice-covered sidewalks that can cause issues for transit users who require wheelchairs or walkers.

“Our hope is now that City officials will act on the suggestions made for the improvement of Transit service, as well as snow clearing,” the challenge organizers wrote in a statement.

“Regarding Transit, what is mainly required is a sizable increase to Transit’s budget.”

Organizers called for a major improvement to the transit system, saying it should be made a catalyst project for the City of Regina.