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GreenUP education program coordinator Melanie Ellison (left), and author Ashley Burnie Seeds are pictured in front of the Peterborough Transit bus that served as a classroom in Lakefield Feb. 12. St. Grade 7 and 8 Paul Catholic Elementary School students experienced hands-on education to familiarize them with riding transit safely and with confidence. (Photo by Melanie Ellison, education program coordinator, GreenUP)
By Ashley Burnie Seeds, education & active transportation program manager, GreenUP
Following successful pilot transit workshops in the City of Peterborough, Selwyn Township has partnered with GreenUP and Peterborough Transit to bring hands-on transit education to intermediate students using The Link rural transit service as their classroom.
On Thursday, Feb. 12, Grade 7 and 8 students from St. Paul Catholic Elementary School in Lakefield stepped aboard a city transit bus, not just as passengers, but as learners. During the workshop led by GreenUP staff, students practiced reading schedules, planning routes, and boarding safely. They also learned about accessibility features, paying fares, and understanding rider etiquette — the practical skills needed to ride transit on their own.
All Peterborough Transit buses are accessible. The transit education workshop delivered by GreenUP in partnership with Selwyn Township, participants learn about features such as kneeling, front door ramps, and accessible seating. (Photo by Jessica Todd, GreenUP)
“Learning how to ride transit fosters independence, confidence, and transferable skills for youth and community members,” says Lily Morrow, sustainability coordinator for Selwyn Township.
At a pivotal age when young people begin expanding their world beyond home and school, knowing how to navigate public transit can mean access to after-school programs, volunteer experiences, recreation, and social opportunities. More than that, with each complete trip, youth become empowered with real-world skills and self-reliance.
In rural communities, especially, transit literacy matters even more.
“In a rural community, public transit is an essential service, especially for residents who don’t drive or have access to a vehicle,” says Morrow. “The Link has built a dedicated ridership, demonstrated the need for local transit, and helped residents of all ages gain experience with public transportation.”
Rural transit remains an important lifeline for residents who don’t have access to a personal vehicle and opens doors for youth who live outside of the city. Understanding how and when to use transfers is an important part of the transit workshops delivered by GreenUP in partnership with Selwyn Township. Here, Peterborough Transit driver and trainer Sue is shown taking a transfer from a rider as they enter the bus. (Photo by Jessica Todd, GreenUP)
This local effort reflects a broader national trend. According to the Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA), Canadians took 1.92 billion transit trips in 2024, up from 1.76 billion in 2023, marking the second highest service levels since 2014. Ridership across Canada increased by nine percent between 2023 and 2024, signalling growth that goes well beyond pandemic recovery.
Peterborough is playing a leading role in that momentum. In 2024, Peterborough Transit recorded 3.7 million rides and was recognized by CUTA as the top transit system in Canada for ridership among communities under 100,000 population.
Evidence from other Ontario municipalities reinforces why youth-focused transit initiatives matter. In Kingston, a youth transit pass program launched in 2012 and has demonstrated measurable long-term results. Between 2012 and 2019, an independent evaluation found the program generated approximately 196,000 additional youth transit rides annually — replacing an estimated 72,000 caregiver-driven car trips each year. The economic impact translated into roughly $2 million in annual societal benefit, with a return of $3.60 for every $1 invested.
Importantly, the Kingston findings showed that providing access alone was not enough. Training youth to confidently navigate the system was just as critical as making transit affordable. Equipping young riders with practical knowledge significantly increased long-term ridership uptake.
Peterborough’s approach recognizes that lesson: confidence builds capacity.
In spring 2026, the City of Peterborough will begin a phased rollout of its Youth Transit Pass Program. The program will provide complimentary transit access for youth aged 13 to 18 during evenings, weekends, and summer months. This, paired with annual registration, structured pass distribution, and orientation sessions, will emphasize education and confidence-building.
Intermediate aged youth are at a pivotal age to begin expanding their world beyond home and school. A study from Kingston’s youth transit program found 72,000 less care-giver car rides per year were needed for youth to access sports, volunteering, programs and socializing. (Photo by Jessica Todd, GreenUP).
The phased pilot will allow Peterborough Transit to align the initiative with current operations by focusing on off-peak periods, building system capacity responsibly while evaluating program impacts. Over time, the program will expand and adapt alongside service enhancements, using data and community feedback to guide continuous improvement.
When young people learn to ride transit, they aren’t just learning how to get from point A to point B. They gain independence, reduce reliance on caregiver driving, support local businesses, and strengthen the long-term sustainability of transportation systems — all of which benefits the community as a whole.
To learn more about the youth transit pass program, check out the City of Peterborough report to Council by clicking here. For more information on active and sustainable travel for youth, visit Active School Travel Peterborough through this link.