Once again, TransLink is inviting children and high school students to ride for free during International Walk to School Week (iWalk) from October 6 to 10!

Note: Regular fares apply to adults accompanying children and high school students on the system. 

Did you know?

• Two of three Canadian children are not getting enough exercise each day.
• Active school travel can increase a child’s ability to concentrate.

TransLink has been supporting iWalk for the past seven years. It is part of the TravelSmart for Schools initiative for children, educating them about all of their travel options and building a future generation of transit riders.

Both walking and taking transit promotes good health and independence, while keeping greenhouse gases to a minimum. Our transit system is fully accessible to riders of all abilities.

This year we’re adding something new. TravelSmart is launching Walktober – a month long campaign to encourage walking to school, walking to work and walking for pleasure!

To make walking even more fun, TravelSmart is hosting a geocache challenge for the month of October! Find out how you can win prizes by hunting down one of the nine TravelSmart caches hidden throughout Metro Vancouver. Start now!

Plan a field trip!

If you’re a teacher, it’s a perfect time to take advantage of this offer by organizing a field trip during iWalk. Here are some tips:

• Travel off peak hours: Try planning trips during “off-peak” hours – between 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.
• Plan ahead: Use TransLink’s online resources including the Trip Planneror Translink’s mobile website with real-time Next Bus. Planning the trip could be a fun class project in itself!
• Play: TravelSmart’s online interactive game, Tripsters, is a fun way for kids to learn about walking, cycling, carpooling and public transit as well as a great way to engage children about transportation issues in the region.
• Author: Allen Tung