Get on the Bus: Empowering Youth with Free Transit
Are you a part of an organization looking for ways to support youth to gain independence and confidence while also making a positive impact on your community and the environment? Look no further than the "Get on the Bus" initiative.
On Monday, June 12th, 2023, at 1 pm EST, Small Change Fund and I hosted a webinar to discuss the importance and value of empowering youth through public transit. The speakers included community advocates, government officials, school board staff, key players, and, most importantly, youth who have benefited from the free bus pass program in Kingston.
The webinar had a turnout of 122 attendees, who tuned in from communities all across North America, and even a few international locations!
The Kingston program, implemented in 2012, has been a simple yet powerful model for youth transit participation. By giving youth a free transit pass and teaching them how to use it, high school ridership increased from 28,000 rides in 2012 to close to 600,000 (pre-Covid) rides annually in Kingston.
This success has garnered international attention, including a Federation of Canadian Municipalities Sustainable Communities Award and guidebook in 2018, a TEDx talk entitled "Throwing Our Car Culture Under the Bus," and recognition as one of the ten solutions to focus on for climate change by Al Gore's Climate Reality Project.
Inspired by the amount of interest from other communities, I have partnered with Small Change Fund to evolve the Kingston program into Get on the Bus. The program goal is to build a national movement to invest in youth transit education and free youth passes, resulting in sustainable transportation options that benefit youth, the environment, and communities.
So why is it important to empower youth through public transit?
Firstly, it provides young people with a sense of independence and freedom. By making public transportation accessible, they are able to move around their communities more easily and efficiently. They can travel to school, work, and other activities without having to rely on parents or guardians to drive them.
“The free bus pass program has allowed me to balance school, extra-curriculars, and work in a way that wouldn’t be possible without my bus pass,” said Maeve, Gr.12 student at Bayridge Secondary School in Kingston, ON. “I am a member of my school’s ultimate frisbee team, and my whole team has been able to travel to tournaments and games using the Kingston bus pass. Additionally, many of my classes have gone on field trips this year using our free bus passes.”
Secondly, investing in youth transit education and free passes has a positive impact on the environment. By encouraging young people to use public transportation instead of driving cars, we can reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. This, in turn, leads to cleaner and healthier communities.
“As the Eco-Administer of my school, when I take the bus, I am proud to know that I am making a positive choice to minimize my personal impact on the environment,” said Maeve.
Lastly, providing free transit passes to youth can also benefit the wider community. It can lead to increased ridership, which can help public transit become more financially sustainable. It can also help reduce traffic congestion, which can benefit everyone who shares the road.
The Get on the Bus program is a great opportunity for communities to learn about the benefits of empowering youth through public transit.
Missed the webinar?
Those who missed the webinar or want to re-watch can view the recording on YouTube and learn more about the initiative, success stories from across Canada, and how you can help create sustainable transportation options that benefit everyone.
Let's create a national movement for sustainable transportation options that benefit youth, the environment, and the community. Get on the Bus!
Learn more about Get on the Bus.