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A new bylaw that aims to address safety on Saskatoon transit is one step closer to reality, after it received unanimous approval on Wednesday from the city’s Transportation Committee.
According to the bylaw, fare payment will be mandatory at the time of boarding, and failure to produce a valid ticket or fare will be considered an offence.
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The bylaw does state that there is some flexibility, however.
There would be other rules, including wearing footwear, being orderly and respectful of other passengers, not distracting drivers, or interfering with bus operations.
Bylaw officers can also stop riders from bringing anything on the bus that could threaten the health, safety, comfort or well-being of other passengers.
Some of the most notable additions to the bylaw mean that an officer would also have the ability to deny anyone from getting on a bus that’s engaging in “unacceptable” behaviour, and could also ban them on a short term or even on a permanent basis.
“An officer may prohibit any person that has engaged in inappropriate behaviour from entering onto Saskatoon Transit property for a period of up to 24 hours. There is no right of appeal with respect to a short-term prohibition issued by an officer,” reads the proposed bylaw.
Long term prohibition would allow for an appeal, however. Fines of $50 may also be issued, with a $30 discount for early payment.
During the committee meeting, Bus Riders of Saskatoon‘s Robert Clipperton applauded the new measures, with some caveats.
“We’re very pleased that the City of Saskatoon’s working to bring order to the disorder that is too common on our city buses, especially on some routes.
“We recognize, too, that 100 per cent enforcement is not the goal, but that the bylaw is meant to formalize existing processes and procedures, and it’s another tool in the tool box,” he said.
While the need to suspend certain people from riding the bus has “long been apparent” he said, Clipperton questioned whether some actions may be too harsh or “overstepping.”
“Does sleeping on a bus really harm anyone?” he asked, while also wondering whether the city actually expects to collect fines from those who are homeless and use city transit, and whether a small team of officers compliance with about 90 buses on the road on any given day.
Clipperton also suggested public engagement on the details in the proposed bylaw with anti-poverty groups, new Canadian support groups, and Indigenous community, along with disability advocates.
The bylaw is expected to go before city council at its July meeting. If it’s ultimately approved, it would go into effect on September 1.
The city is planning a comprehensive education and awareness campaign ahead of that time, should it pass.
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