Transit Talk: Volume 2

Written By Dan Hendry

November 25, 2024

Transit Talk: Volume 2


A Decade of Impact: How Kingston’s Youth Transit Initiative Sparked a Nationwide Movement

When Kingston, ON began providing high school students with free bus passes and training them how to ride back in 2012, I never imagined the profound impact it would have. Not only on the community but also across Canada. The resulting interest nationwide led me to launch Get on the Bus with Small Change Fund. In the last year and a half, we have built a solid framework and a supportive network that empowers other communities to adopt similar programs. Through shared stories, data and partnerships, we've created a ripple effect that has inspired interest in cities from the Sunshine Coast in British Columbia to Belleville, Ontario to Halifax, Nova Scotia and beyond.

In fact, this year marks an exciting expansion of Halifax’s pilot program – as of September, 28,000 students are eligible for free public transit passes. I am confident this recent win, along with the many ongoing initiatives across Canada, will demonstrate the transformative power of youth access to transit and help more communities see free-for-youth transit as a strategic move that amplifies investments in education, public health and community development.

Get on the Bus has become more than just a program:  it's a movement. By fostering a community of practice, we’ve provided a platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing and support that will continue to grow as more communities recognize the long-term value of empowering youth through transit access. What started as a local effort in Kingston has sparked a nationwide conversation, proving that one small initiative can change countless lives.

Looking ahead, I am inspired by the progress we’ve made and excited to continue this work. The journey has only just begun and I believe the best is yet to come. You can help us support a youth transit revolution by donating through the Small Change Fund platform.


- Dan Hendry, Co-Founder and Program Director

Ribbon cutting at the youth-driven mural project at M.E. LaZerte High School.

 Building Capacity and Youth Engagement in Edmonton

This year, we embarked on an exciting journey in Edmonton through the generous support of Alberta Ecotrust Foundation’s Environmental Impact Grant Program. This funding has allowed us to take meaningful steps toward exploring fare-free youth transit and training in the city while fostering new connections with local partners.

Our work led to a detailed feasibility report on fare-free transit for youth in Edmonton, highlighting how it could not only serve as a tool for accessibility and equity but also contribute to Edmonton’s sustainability goals. Such a program would be particularly impactful on the Community Energy Transition Strategy, which aims to have 50% of resident trips by transit and active transportation by 2040.

Beyond this research, our Edmonton-based Program Coordinator, Sophia Young, came up with the idea of creating a mural to represent the significance of public transportation and the sense of community it fosters. This led to a youth-driven mural project at M.E. LaZerte High School, funded by the City of Edmonton. Cree artist Jayda Delorme designed the mural, arranging the imagery according to the teachings of the medicine wheel: homes for belonging, work for mastery, Saskatoon berry bushes for generosity, and the bus as a symbol of independence. The mural was completed this fall and officially unveiled on October 3rd.

Our work in Edmonton has just begun but with the enthusiasm and dedication of the partners we’ve engaged, the future looks bright for public transportation in the city.

Transit for Tomorrow

Denis Agar and Dan Hendry at the Transit for Tomorrow Summit.

Late last month, advocates, politicians, transit authorities, academics and more met at Environmental Defence’s Transit for Tomorrow Summit. Our co-founder and program director, Dan Hendry, represented Get on the Bus.
“Standing among many who recognize how public transit brings value to every facet of our society was a privilege,” said Dan. “Transit fuels community connection, enhances accessibility and equity, and reduces greenhouse gases.”

Despite the critical importance of public transit, a study commissioned by the McConnell Foundation determined there is a noticeable lack of transit funding in Canada, and consequently a gap in nonprofit work in this space. At Get on the Bus we are excited to see where the powerful conversations and connections from the Summit will lead.

P.S. You might recognize Denis Agar from Movement, another Small Change Fund partner, in the picture with Dan!


Full Speed Ahead in Halifax!

After supporting Halifax Transit in their work to expand the student pilot program,we are delighted to share that, as of the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, all students in grades 7 to 12 in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) are eligible for a free transit pass. This means that 28,000 students across 59 schools are able to ride public transit for free throughout the school year. 

Halifax Transit PowerPoint Cover for Nov. 23, 2023 Transportation Standing Committee.

In an exciting first, the province of Nova Scotia is contributing significant funding towards the free bus pass program.  

The province’s investment is groundbreaking – for the first time, a provincial government is directly funding a program that not only provides bus passes to all high school students but also strengthens municipal operations. The province of Nova Scotia has shown how intergovernmental collaboration can create impactful, strategic programs that benefit municipalities and invest in youth – a powerful example for other communities to consider.

The success in Halifax highlights the potential of shared funding in building a future where transit is accessible and normalized for all. We were proud to have our movement’s branding included on Halifax Transit’s materials. 

Way to go Halifax Transit, HRM and Nova Scotia!

Expanding Horizons: The Role of Public Transit in Field Trip Programs

Field trips provide invaluable hands-on learning experiences for students but are often limited by logistics and costs. Kingston, ON piloted a creative solution in 2017 –leveraging public transit, which commonly has open seats during school hours, to ease the financial burden on schools and boost community engagement.

This spring, Get on the Bus participated in a successful Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) delegation put forth by Councillor Diane Saxe to provide free transit for Grade 7-12 student field trips. In September 2024, the TTC launched a student field trip reimbursement pilot, allowing schools to claim back transportation costs for class trips on public transit. "For many parents, the cost of transit is a deciding factor in whether their child can participate in a field trip," said TTC Chair Jamaal Myers. "We hope this pilot program will alleviate this financial burden for thousands of students this year." Get on the Bus is pleased to continue to support this initiative by providing insights to help shape the pilot program.

Similarly, the city of Barrie, ON, recently introduced a transit field trip program, offering schools cost-free transportation on any Barrie Transit service. Mayor Alex Nuttall remarked that the initiative was designed to "create more opportunities for students to discover their city" while alleviating financial and logistical challenges for schools.

Keeping Rolling

We hope everyone has an enjoyable rest of 2024 and look forward to catching up with you next year. In the meantime, if you would like to donate towards our efforts to inspire a youth transit revolution in communities across Canada, donations made through Small Change Fund will receive a charitable tax receipt. Thank you so much for your support!

All the best,

The Get on the Bus Team

 

Dan Hendry
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