Overnight Warming Bus Operations
Due to the extreme cold weather, the City is making an overnight warming bus available to people experiencing homelessness. The warming bus provides urgently needed alternative shelter to people who currently sleep outdoors and enhances the safety and well-being of residents during cold winter nights.
“Providing a transportation option that allows people to move between spaces to manage capacity is critical in extreme weather. While services were expanded this year by adding a new warming centre at Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre and increasing hours at Awasiw and Carmichael, transportation during extreme temperatures remains a significant challenge,” said Dave Slater, Manager of Community Well-being.
The City monitors weather conditions and works closely with community-based organizations to support vulnerable populations year-round. During these critically cold temperatures, the City activated a Regina Transit bus to operate from 8 p.m. to 9 a.m. from Thursday, January 22 until Monday, January 26. The bus travels between Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre (1635 11th Avenue), Carmichael Outreach (1510 12th Avenue) and the Awasiw Warming Centre at All Nations Hope (3115 5th Avenue).
A bus operator as well as outreach/support staff from Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre and security staff are on the bus during operating hours to maintain a safe space for everyone. Communications equipment is in place to quickly and easily contact emergency services, if required.
