Barrie Transit now offers local schools a cost-effective and unique way to get around Barrie and visit City buildings and attractions to support experiential learning opportunities.
The Field Trip Pass pilot project began in December 2018 and is currently offered at 10 elementary schools in both the Simcoe County District School Board and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, in conjunction with the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium.
The Field Trip Pass pilot project allows teachers to sign out a Field Trip Bus Pass from their school's office and use it to ride a city bus to get their class to and from their destination, at no cost. Each Barrie Transit Field Trip Pass is valid for unlimited travel for up to 30 students and five adults on any of Barrie Transit's 10 two-directional routes.
"Schools involved in the pilot have already used our buses to travel to learning destinations such as Barrie's recreation centres, theatres, libraries and City Hall," says Brent Forsyth, Director of Transit and Parking Strategy. "This transit partnership is a positive step forward to remove cost barriers for students, increase utilization of City facilities and also promote transit benefits to future users. By providing students with the opportunity to learn how to use the bus system, we hope youth and their families recognize the benefits and consider transit as a viable, healthy and vibrant transportation option now and in the future."
Barrie elementary schools involved in the pilot project include:
- Allandale Heights Public School
- Ardagh Bluffs Public School
- Emma King Elementary School
- Monsignor Clair Catholic Elementary School
- St. John Vianney Catholic Elementary School
- St. Monica's Catholic Elementary School
- Steele Street Public School
- W.C. Little Elementary School
- West Bayfield Elementary School
- Willow Landing Public School
The Field Trip Pass pilot project runs until the end of the 2018-19 school year.
