Getting Children to School by Public Transit
Taking public transit to and from school could be the easiest thing students do all day. They can sit back, relax, read, listen to music, mentally add up all the money they’re saving (rather, saving you) on gas, or even nap. They can leave the driving to the experts and dash off to class without giving parking a second thought.
Benefits to Taking Public Transit to School
The fact that you’re reducing your carbon footprint and easing traffic congestion by keeping more cars off the road might be an afterthought, but these are all excellent reasons why public transit is a great way to get to school. Here are some other benefits you can feel smug over:
- Public transit is the most affordable option for long-distance commutes.
- You’ll save up to $6,000 a year on car maintenance and gas.
- There are a lot of bus and SkyTrain routes that service main school campuses all over Metro Vancouver. You probably even have a few choices for routes so you can easily integrate errands before or after classes.
- Get to know your fellow commuters! Chances are you’ll be sharing the same schedule and route with a lot of other people - people not in your classes. This is a great way to widen your social circle and make your time on transit more fun.
Public transit is the most affordable option for long-distance commutes.
Safety Considerations
Keeping it safe, especially for younger riders, is a concern for both parents and TransLink. Here are some safety tips to consider before your kids head off to school:
- Accompany your kids to and from school using public transit at least a few times before letting them go on their own. Identify landmarks and make sure they’re familiar with their surroundings.
- Review safety features on the bus and SkyTrain. Point out things such as the yellow strip bars over SkyTrain windows, the emergency phone and secure waiting areas on SkyTrain platforms, etc.
- Teach them to have correct transit fare or pass ready before boarding so there’s no last-minute fumbling with open bags.
- If your child is unsure where to get off, have him or her sit near the front and ask the driver to call out the correct stop. Make sure they understand it’s not a good idea to pull the cord at the last second.
- Instruct them to wait until the bus has completely stopped before getting up and exiting.
- Ensure they’re aware of situations that require immediate adult assistance. Go over scenarios, such as if a stranger starts asking too many personal questions, is getting too close or is encouraging your child to leave with him/her. In these situations, instruct your child to immediately tell the bus driver or find a transit police officer.
- Have them wear something reflective and bright on grey, rainy days so bus drivers and other drivers can see your child at the bus stop.
Do you use transit to get to school and have any tips, ideas or stories to share that can help others using transit? Add a comment below to tell us about your experience.