Shuttle service begins between Martensville, Warman, Saskatoon

A Saskatoon transportation service expanded into surrounding communities on Monday.

AV Transit is offering bus service between Martensville,Warman and Saskatoon.

JimPravda,the operations manager for the shuttle service, said there's demand for public transit between the close-knit communities.

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"If theydon't have a ride in a car, they just simply can't go, so this is just going to open up a lot of doors for a lot of families, a lot of freedom," he said.

"It's just really going to help the community."

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MartensvilleMayorKentMuenchsaid this is a service his community has needed for some time.

"There's been other companies who have thought about it and talked to us about it. And even the cities we've thought about how can we make this happen, supported by the communities themselves," he said.

"So to actually have a company come in with an ideaa business plan and then see it happen is great."

A 20-person shuttle bus will run Monday to Friday with various times and stops in each location. A full schedule is available on the company'swebsite.

A round trip from Martensville to Warman through to Saskatoon and back will cost $15. To celebrate the launch of the service, rides are free May 1 and May 2.