New “Hop on GRT” school program reaches hundreds of students
Transit introductions are starting early for students in Waterloo Region.
This spring, Grand River Transit staff made a series of local school visits with the new “Hop on GRT” pilot program.
Hop on GRT is a free educational program meant to introduce local students to public transit and encourage a positive attitude about transit services.
“My students loved the Hop on GRT presentation,” said Emily Hildebrandt, a Grade 5 teacher at Tait Street Public School in Cambridge. “They had a lot of questions and were really into the information being shared.”
The presentations were one hour long, with a half hour in the classroom and a half hour in a GRT bus parked outside the schools.
Ryder, GRT’s new mascot, even made surprise visits at some schools.
“The kids especially enjoyed going on the bus and being able to try the different features, like pulling the stop cord, and trying out the different seats,” said Hildebrandt.
“The whole program is valuable. It teaches kids how to be safe and responsible transit riders, and helps to eliminate preconceived opinions they may have had about public transit.”
GRT staff visited around nine classrooms in this first stage of the program, reaching roughly 400 students.
“Getting the chance to chat with local students about our amazing transit system and show them how it works was just a plain joy,” said Dave Steffler, Eligibility and Training Specialist and Hop on GRT program facilitator.
“I’m looking forward to sharing the joy of transit with as many students as possible.”
GRT is currently reviewing feedback from the Hop on GRT pilot program. Schools will be contacted directly when registration opens for future sessions.