Starting August 8, all Grade 9 through 12 students in Kingston will be able to renew or sign-up for their free Kingston Transit bus pass for the 2017-18 academic school year.
“Bus passes for high school students help our youth learn the environmental, economic, and social benefits of public transportation. Our goal is to make them lifelong transit users,” says Mayor Bryan Paterson. “It also gives youth an opportunity to work, volunteer and participate in community events giving them a greater connection to the Kingston community at large.”
Students attending public, separate, and private schools or receiving a home-based education are eligible for the free pass. The high school Kingston Transit pass will be valid from Sept. 1 until the end of August 2018.
“The Kingston Transit high school bus program has been a great success with students across Kingston, as well as a big hit with teachers, parents and guardians,” says Jeremy DaCosta, general manager, Kingston Transit. “In 2016 alone, 567,000 high school students rode with Kingston Transit. Free public transit offers youth a greater level of independence.”
The current 2016-17 student pass can be used until Aug. 31, 2017. Eligible students can begin using their 2017-18 passes on Sept. 1 and can obtain their Kingston Transit ID bus pass as follows:
Public and separate school Grade 9 students:
In September, Kingston Transit will visit each high school in the area to issue Grade 9 passes and to complete a complimentary transit training session. Students should contact their school to confirm the date that Kingston Transit will be visiting. For Grade 9 students who wish to receive their pass prior to their school visit, please follow the steps below:
1. Download a registration form at: KingstonTransit.ca/studentpass
2. Bring the filled-in form to City Hall (216 Ontario St.), or the Guest Services Desk at the Cataraqui Centre (945 Gardiners Rd.), along with:
– a 2017-18 Grade 9 student photo ID card; or
– a 2017-18 Grade 9 student timetable and a birth certificate.
The initial $3 fee for the photo ID pass is waived for Grade 9 students.
Public and separate school Grade 10, 11 and 12 students:
1. Download a registration form at KingstonTransit.ca/studentpass
2. Bring the filled-in form to City Hall (216 Ontario St.), or the Guest Services Desk at the Cataraqui Centre (945 Gardiners Rd.), along with:
– a 2017-18 Grade 10 , 11 or 12 student photo ID card; or
– a previous Grade 9, 10 or 11 transit bus card and a 2017-18 Grade 10, 11 or 12 student timetable; or
– if you do not have a previous Grade 9, 10 or 11 bus card, bring a 2017-18 Grade 10, 11 or 12 student timetable and a birth certificate.
The $3 fee for a new or replacement card applies to Grade 10, 11 and 12 students.
Private school and home-based education students must contact Kingston Transit’s administrative office at 1181 John Counter Blvd., or call 613-546-4291, ext. 2365 to make arrangements to receive their pass. Office hours are Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
As this Kingston Transit bus pass is a photo ID card, the student must be present at registration to have his or her picture taken for the new or replacement card.
High school students attending one of the following schools are eligible for this transit pass:
– Bayridge Secondary School
– École Secondaire Catholique Marie-Rivier
– École Secondaire Publique Mille-Iles
– Ernestown Secondary School
– Frontenac Secondary School
– Holy Cross Catholic Secondary School
– Kingston Collegiate & Vocational Institute
– La Salle Secondary School
– Leahurst College
– Loyalist Collegiate & Vocational Institute
– Regiopolis-Notre Dame Catholic High School
Those waiting for September 1 to use their free passes are encouraged to explore Kingston Transit’s other fare options at KingstonTransit.ca.
For questions concerning this program, please call City of Kingston Customer Service at 613-546-0000 or email contactus@cityofkingston.ca.
Release source: City of Kingston
Photo original sourced: Limestone District School Board
