Moose Jaw's Saturday Dial-A-Bus program has been relatively underutilized since coming into effect on May 1. 

Fixed routes for Saturdays were discontinued by the city in favour of the on-demand system because of low ridership on the weekends. 

However, the city averaged 146 bus riders per day between January and April. Since May 1 for Dial-A-Bus, the most one-way trips in one day have been 11. 

“Unfortunately, the service is not being utilized as much as fixed-route service was between January and April this year,” said Mayor Fraser Tolmie. 

The change was approved by city council in the 2021 municipal budget as part of an overall review of the city’s transit service. The change has not affected weekday bus service. 

Right now, Tolmie said the Dial-A-Bus program is saving the city money. 

“We are saving costs on fuel and vehicle maintenance over and above the labour cost savings, but we're also trying and doing our best to raise awareness and get as many people on the Dial-A-Bus as we can,” he said. 

Those interested in using Dial-A-Bus on Saturday can contact the city’s transit office at 306-694-4488 during the week and provide them with details as to when and at which bus stops you want to be picked up and dropped off at. 

This summer, the city plans on holding a public survey about future decisions about bus routes, fares, and schedules. 

Any questions or concerns can be emailed to transit@moosejaw.ca.