BC Transit continues to provide safe rides to new grads

Corporate – High school graduates from over 70 communities across British Columbia will be able to ride the bus for free for two days of their choice during the month of June thanks to the GradPASS program.

BC Transit and its partner communities are once again offering the popular GradPASS program for graduating Grade 12 students all over the province.

“Grad season can be a busy and exciting time for high school graduates – and GradPASS provides them with access to a free and safe transportation option,” said Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure. “Thank you to BC Transit for another year of GradPASS, and to the more than 70 local governments in B.C. and the Victoria Regional Transit Commission for their support of this increasingly popular program.”

GradPASS was first introduced in Vancouver in 1988 to encourage safe transportation options during prom season for recent graduates. The Victoria Regional Transit System adopted the program in 1990, with other communities following suit over the years. Today, over 70 communities across the province offer GradPASS to new graduates at the end of May for their use in June.

“BC Transit is pleased to congratulate the graduating class of 2019 for reaching an important milestone in their lives,” said Erinn Pinkerton, BC Transit President and Chief Executive Officer. “Graduating high school is a great accomplishment for all students. BC Transit would like to remind graduates of the importance of choosing transit as a safe and reliable transportation option when celebrating their achievement.”

To use their GradPASS, graduates only need to scratch off their two chosen travel days (does not need to be consecutive) and show the card to their bus driver at the time of boarding.

GradPASS cards will be distributed to local schools in late May.

For information on BC Transit schedules, routes and service alerts in your community, please visit bctransit.com, and select your local transit system.

Media contact

Jonathon Dyck
Communications Manager
BC Transit
250-995-5720
Media@bctransit.com

GradPASS-Graphic

Communities participating in the GradPASS program:

Abbotsford
Agassiz
Armstrong
Ashcroft
Burns Lake
Campbell River
Castlegar
Chemainus
Chilliwack
Clearwater
Comox
Courtenay
Cranbrook
Dawson Creek
Duncan
Elkford
Enderby
Fernie
Fort St John
Gibsons
Hazelton
Hope
Houston
Kamloops
Kaslo
Kelowna
Keremeos
Kitimat
Ladysmith
Lake Country
Lake Cowichan
Lumby
Madeira Park
Merritt
Mill Bay
Mission
Nakusp
Nanaimo
Nelson
North Saanich
Oliver
Osoyoos
Parksville
Pemberton
Penticton
Port Alberni
Port Hardy
Port McNeill
Powell River
Prince George
Prince Rupert
Qualicum Beach
Revelstoke
Rossland
Saanichton
Salmo
Salt Spring Island
Sechelt
Shawnigan Lake
Smithers
Sooke
South Slocan
Squamish
Summerland
Terrace
Trail
Vancouver
Vanderhoof
Vernon
Victoria
Whistler
Williams Lake