GuelphToday received the following letter from Heather Warren regarding transportation for children:
When I read about the City of Guelph's Pilot Project of allowing kids to ride Guelph Transit for free in your latest edition of GuelphToday, I was elated. Not only is this a great idea to help young people get used to sustainable methods of transportation, it helps them connect to and explore our city.
As someone who started riding the bus in Guelph when I was 10 years old and continued to use public transportation until I was 35 years old and had to eventually get a car, I can say personally that this benefited me and the planet in countless ways.
Because of riding the bus, I had time to read a lot of books and magazines. I have talked to strangers and grown in human compassion as I shared space with people from all walks of life. I learned that going faster isn't always better. Having a slower, more patient and grounded way of life allowed me to connect to nature as I was waiting for the bus. I felt I was part of my community and knew I was part of the solution of over-consumption and car pollution.
I do believe I have become a better, more humane and eco-conscious person because of riding the bus most of my life.
For parents who may be concerned about the safety of their kids, I can assure them that I have never had any problems directed towards me while riding transit in Guelph.
Yes, there were some non-threatening incidents of other passengers who struggled with mental health issues, but that helped me understand that this was a part of our society and human realities. The bus drivers, especially nowadays, are also well-trained and well-equipped to ensure children arrive safely. With the age of technology and smartphones, we are now safer than ever before.
Buddy systems, being with a multi-generations of people, and encouraging them to navigate how to get from A to B will do wonders to help young people grow up to be self-sufficient adults who who aren't dependent on cars and can interact with others in a real way.
Unfortunately, we live in a world that has a quiet judgment of people who ride transit (especially in small cities) where it is often seen as something that is for people who experience poverty. This stigma needs to change in order to shift to a more sustainable community.
By offering young people free transit for a year, we are raising kids to become adults who see the deeper value of public transit, shaping their characters to be more connected and caring people.
- Heather Warren
