Safety is a top priority for BC Transit and that’s why we want some of our youngest customers to be BusReady when school starts up.
Whether it’s their first time riding the bus or if they’re seasoned pros, the BusReady program will help teach and guide young people on bus safety.
BC Transit’s BusReady youth program is the best source for families and youth on transit safety, education, information, and activities. The BusReady website includes free resources for educators which includes lesson plans, activities and games.
The goal of the BusReady program is to ensure that children feel safe and comfortable when riding transit any day of the week.
As well as online learning and resources, BC Transit has an in-school program called the BusReady Ambassador Program. This program will be rolling into schools across the province in the coming months. The BusReady Ambassador program is developed to complement the B.C. educational curriculum. Students will receive a presentation and are given hands-on experience with a guided bus tour by a local BusReady Ambassador. Through this program, they’ll be able to demonstrate their bus knowledge, explore accessibility and safety elements of their local bus and talk to a local BC Transit bus driver. The program has been delivered to 385 classrooms, engaging over 10,400 children and has received a 95 per cent recommendation rating from educators who have participated in the program.
The pilot program is in the early stage of delivery and will be available to select transit systems: Campbell River, Comox Valley, Cowichan Valley, Nanaimo, Squamish, Sunshine Coast, Victoria Regional, and Whistler.
Background:
In 2021, B.C.’s Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure announced that transit would be free for all children aged 12 and under. Since then, BC Transit launched the U12 Get on Board Program. In August 2022, BC Transit’s youth program team launched the BusReady website, providing a dedicated educational resource for children aged 12 and under, caregivers and educators.
Media Contacts
BC Transit Communications
media@bctransit.com
