KidsKids RideRide thethe BusBus

WELCOME

8 BROOKE The bus drivers say, “The bus driver is a safe person and every transit bus is a safe place to go if you need help.”

For information about the school transit program, visit: www.bctransit.com/kidsridethebus or email [email protected]

1 BirdsGYM

Transit belongs to everyone!

“Public transit belongs to you and everyone who lives in . Enjoy this book and remember: be safe.”

2 From Rails to Rubber

NT STORE

Before buses, people rode on streetcars. Streetcars run on rails just like trains. Street railway services began in Victoria and in 1890. In 1899, Nelson became the third city in British Columbia to have its own transit system.

After 1945, Victoria and Nelson, like many other cities in , changed to buses. People liked buses better because buses did not need tracks to run on. Buses go where people want them to go.

February 21, 1890 Streetcar Ceremony in Victoria 3 Historic Transit Vehicles

1890

1925

1950

2015 4 Connect the dots......

A double-deck bus weighs about 24,000 kilograms, about the same as 6 adult elephants!

5 Spot the difference Colour the bus that is different.

Did you pick the bus with the open ramp? Many buses lower a ramp for people in wheelchairs or for people who have trouble climbing stairs.

Commuters People who ride the bus to work or school are called commuters.

6 Count5 1 8 BROOKE steps for a safe Step carefully into the bus ride bus, one at a time. 2 3

Sit down quietly as soon as possible. If all the seats are taken, walk back as far as you can and hold on tightly. 4 5

Keep your head and arms When you want to get off, pull once inside the bus. on the bell cord or press the button. 7 Transit in British Columbia

The tires show places that have transit. Count the tires to see how many places have bus service.

Hazeltons Fort St. John Prince Rupert Terrace Smithers Port Edward Skeena Prince George

Quesnel

Williams Lake Bella Coola

Mt. Waddington 100 Mile House

Clearwater

Ashcroft-Clinton Revelstoke Campbell River Pemberton Valley Shuswap Regional Powell River Whistler Comox Valley -Lytton North Okanagan

Sunshine Coast Merritt Vernon Nakusp Squamish Columbia Valley Agassiz-Harrison Kootenay Lake West Princeton Kaslo Alberni-Clayoquot Abbotsford, Mission Okanagan-Similkameen Summerland Kimberley Chilliwack Slocan Valley Nelson Cowichan Valley Elk Valley Salt Spring Island Osoyoos Castlegar Cranbrook Victoria Grand Forks Trail Creston Valley

Find and circle the place where you live! 8 WORD SEARCH Find and circle the words from the list. The words are down and across

Every transit bus is a safe place to go if you need help!

9 People in Transit

Bus Driver The bus driver operates the bus safely in all kinds of weather.

Customer Service Agent Customer service agents provide bus information for people who phone with questions.

Mechanic The mechanic repairs the bus engine.

Tireperson The tireperson checks the wheels and changes the tires on the bus.

10 Good for the Environment Buses are good for the environment because more people on buses means fewer cars on the roads.

Fewer cars on the roads means less pollution and cleaner air to breathe.

or

Picture Match

Draw a line from the picture to the words. $2.50

Bus Pass Bus Driver Bus Ticket Cash Fare

11 Write as many words as you can from the letters in TRANSIT .

People in wheelchairs and people with disabilities travel by bus or handyDART.

Low Floor Bus handyDART with ramp

12 A Maze School is out! Help the children fnd their way. Hop on the bus to the library, to music lessons, then follow the bus route home.

Eco Audit This paper is 100% recycled from post consumer waste fbre. By using this environmentally friendly paper, BC Transit minimized the amount of trees, water and energy used.

13 Safety First!

BirdsGYM

Colour everything in the picture except the person who is not following the rules of the road.

Follow the rules of the road. Stop, look and listen. Look left, look right and look left again.

The bus drivers say, “Be safe!”

14 Create your own fun street scene! Cut out the pieces, then fold the tabs to make the pieces stand up. Draw roads, sidewalks and crosswalks on a blank piece of paper. Make buildings out of small boxes. 6135