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, February 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 practised 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.
“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.”
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 per cent 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 new 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.
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 City of Peterborough’s youth transit pass program, read the September 2025 report to council below.
For more information on active and sustainable travel for youth, visit Active School Travel Peterborough at greenup.on.ca/active-school-travel-peterborough
PDF: Youth Transit Pass Program, Report MOTR25-005
Youth Transit Pass Program, Report MOTR25-005
