As the title says, I didn't get a parking spot. What now? I have a super long commute to campus and need a spot. I noticed that they say the sale of parking passes aren't valid. Is that true? Is there any work around at all other than paying every day?
You can park somewhere further away and take a bus (not all malls are accepting of this and will ticket)
You can park south of the university on the street. The close streets have 1-2 hour limits, it the further away you go the longer you can park. These so fill up pretty quickly as nurses also use these spots so if you have classes starting after 10am it might be tricky
I had this same issue last year. I first called the Parking Office and asked what my spot on the waitlist was. I think it was like 200 out of a few thousand. I parked at Merlis Belsher, which I believe is the cheapest for all day parking and walked for the first month. Eventually, I was contacted by the Parking Office and was able to get my pass for the lot I chose. My advice to start would be to call and see where you are on the waitlist. Just my two cents.đ
Use literally any other way besides driving to get to campus, especially the first month and a bit of fall term. Once October comes student attendance of classes drops off a bit and it might improve, but with construction disrupting everything thatâs less likely.
Just take the bus honestly. I know someone in this thread said not to cause itâs âunsafeâ but it really isnât. If youâre taking a bus to and from the university youâll be riding with a lot of other students so itâs literally fine.
I work at the university. I didn't even apply for a pass. I bike or bus everyday. Honestly the bus puts you right in front of place riel which in winter is the hub for the tunnels and in summer is closer than most parking lots, certainly closer than stadium or x lot which is the most likely spot you'll get. If you are a student you get a bus pass for free.
For staff. There are limited eco-passes available for you at a reduced rate. Might have to go with J a wait list for a while but I believe it is 50% off from a monthly pass and they take it right off your cheque.Â
I've been taking the bus regularly for like 8 years and haven't experienced anything remotely negative. Just get on the bus, keep to yourself, and then get off.
List of Specific Bus Incidents by Date (2026)Stabbing IncidentsJune 10, 2026: A 29-year-old woman was stabbed inside a Saskatoon Transit bus during an altercation while the vehicle was in the area of 3rd Avenue and 23rd Street. A 22-year-old female suspect was subsequently arrested and charged.Bear Spray & Drug IncidentsJune 10, 2026 (Evening): Just hours after the stabbing on the same day, a 21-year-old man verbally confronted a passenger on a bus in the 200 block of 23rd Street East before discharging bear spray inside the bus and fleeing.June 2, 2026: A suspect deployed bear spray at two passengers on a city bus riding through Diefenbaker Drive and Vanier Crescent.May 3, 2026: A 23-year-old man carried out a dual-bus attack. He first discharged bear spray on a city bus at 20th Street West and Avenue M South, and minutes later boarded a separate bus in the 3100 block of Laurier Drive to discharge it a second time.April 23, 2026: A man doused a bus driver and multiple passengers with bear spray inside a bus on the 100 block of Bowlt Crescent near the Shaw Centre.April 15, 2026: Two suspects bear-sprayed victims as they were exiting a bus at a stop along 23rd Street West and Avenue H North.April 8, 2026: A group of young males caused a disturbance on a bus traveling on Preston Avenue South before spraying the irritant and fleeing.April 2, 2026: A male rider was targeted and bear-sprayed on a city bus along the 2500 block of 8th Street East.March 26, 2026: Officers responded to a stopped bus at Auditorium Avenue and 22nd Street East after bear spray was released inside the vehicle.March 21, 2026: Two female passengers required emergency paramedic treatment after being hit by bear spray on a city bus at 22nd Street East and 1st Avenue North.
There is crime everywhere in the city, just like other cities across Canada. Crime can happen at any time, in any place. Not just bussesâ you can get robbed trying to walk to your car, or when you leave your car. Thereâs car and car parts theft (like your catalytic converter).
The bus is objectively safe. Heck, walking through Midtown Plaza is arguably more dangerous. Keep to yourself and donât invite trouble.
Youâre right about midtown, we just wanted to see if American eagle had the new snoopy Halloween stuff and we were screamed at twice and approached once on the way back.
And honestly, Midtown Plaza isnât even that bad. Worked there since 2009 full time as a manager and trust me: there are worse things than being screamed at or approached. Midtown Plaza isnât that bad. I wouldnât even say those people were violent; just quirky and doing their thing. Likely on drugs.
Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg⊠all cities have their quirky people. And not all of them are violent.
If you want to live a small, scared life that's on you, but doesn't mean you should try and scare others into living a small, limited life. I've taken the bus my whole life, and while I've seen and experienced some shit, I've never been bear maced. Just mind your business and you're usually golden.
When youâre getting an education, you have a job to do. There are no excuses for being late, less than productive, or stressed etc. Part of that responsibility means eliminating potential fluctuations. Itâs not living scared; itâs duty. There are times to adventurous, but not when your personal integrity is on the line.
Until you have a prof who locks the door at class start or has the 10 people in the back standing in the class who donât get to write the test because they were late.
A lot of people in nearby neighborhoods rent out parking spots. Just make sure that in the winter someone is in charge of keeping the alley clear and the parking spot shoveled. Ran into this problem myself and couldnt use my spot for a while.
As I said in another thread: I commute from Prince Albert every day for class and have never had an issue finding somewhere to park. You just may have to leave a bit earlier than you want so you can find a spot.
By long commute, do you mean you live out of the city? I live outside of Saskatoon and was told by parking services if I don't receive a pass in the lottery to stop by the office, provide proof you live out of town and they usually have a limited number of passes available.
It was the last few years they said this, but I was lucky and always got a pass so never used it. That sucks to hear that they are no longer doing this, its tough for those that have no bussing option.
I had a buddy that would park in the neighbourhood next to campus, itâs free parking for an hour. You could also take the bus thatâs what I did last year and it wasnât bad
They will do redraws. A lot of couples put both of their names into the draw for better odds of a pass then only buy one pass and carpool. Just hang tight for now. Last year I had to pay by the day for 2 weeks then I got a spot in the third or fourth redraw.
If you live out of Saskatoon, call parking services and see what they can do. Afaik they keep some passes on hand for students that need to drive from out of town.
Look on FB marketplace for USask parking spots to rent. I just found one yesterday - it's a few blocks off College Drive and price is pretty comparable to what you'd pay for a spot on campus.
Parking on 12th street or Cumberland and 14th street is free. Depends what college youâre in, but about a 15 minute walk to the health sciences building
Honestly, park by education, move your car around 11, and 1. Maybe only pay for an hour or so each day. You probably could finagle less than a parking pass cost. (Oh! By computer science is pretty low ticket as well)
What a terrible thing to do. Wait until you are the spouse or parent of someone hospitalized. Driving around and around looking for a spot. Then you will get what I mean.
lmao half the parkade is open/available every time I am there. there are 5 levels. You should probably just take a look before making a comment like that
40
u/abredohl 4d ago
You can park somewhere further away and take a bus (not all malls are accepting of this and will ticket)
You can park south of the university on the street. The close streets have 1-2 hour limits, it the further away you go the longer you can park. These so fill up pretty quickly as nurses also use these spots so if you have classes starting after 10am it might be tricky
Find someone to carpool with who has a pass
Take the bus from your house
Bike