REGINA — It’s common for items to get left behind while riding a bus in Regina.
In fact, it happens roughly 1,000 times every year in the city. So, where do the items eventually go, and how does the city sort through them?
Nathan Luhning, City of Regina transit director, said bus operators frequently do routine checks of buses where they can find left-behind items.
“[So], they bring that back to our operation centre, and they give it to our supervisor where that property is deposited.”
Luhning said the items are then brought to Regina’s Transit Information Centre the following morning.
He mentioned clerks will put tags with information on the items, including when they were found, the route the bus was on and the time.
Luhning said items, including keys, wallets, glasses, electronics, and backpacks, are commonly left behind.
There can also be unusual items found on a bus.
“So musical instruments, artwork, large paintings, tea sets, and sometimes, as well, we've had [bikes] because we have the bike racks on the front, some people just forget the bike.”
As of December 30, Luhning said 1,043 items had been found on transit buses in 2025.
The city holds items for a week, and Luhning said usually people pick up their items within a day or so.
In cases where items remain at the centre after a week, the city will take a few different approaches.
“So things like wallets, we may turn into the police just in case you know they get an inquiry about. Things that you know are not personal in nature, like clothing, maybe we donated that to the Salvation Army.”
Luhning encouraged anyone who has left an item behind to contact the Transit Information Centre.
Transit riders are encouraged to have the date, time, bus route/stop and item description ready when calling.
