Announcing I Love Transit Week 2015: Aug 31-Sept 4 – two camps and more!
Announcing I Love Transit Week 2015: Aug 31-Sept 4 – two camps and more!
It’s time again to tell everyone why we love transit!
For the seventh year in a row, we are dedicating our digital channels, the print Buzzer, time and thoughts to the love of transit! Between August 31 and September 4, the blog will feature items like we’ve seen in years past and more! Those items have included haikus, reflective essays, pictures, stories about finding love on transit, a wedding on a bus, paintings, a cake, a crossword and even a song!
Much of what we feature comes from Buzzer readers. So, make sure you tell us why you love transit, and we’ll share it on the blog!
We try to do things a little different each year for I Love Transit Week. This year, we have two in-person events we hope you can take part in!
Join us on one of two I Love Transit Camps!
Last year, we introduced I Love Transit Camp into the week. It was such a success that we’re doing it again…twice!
I Love Transit Camp (Kids) September 1
Take a look at what we did last year. This year will be similar, but a little different!
I Love Transit Camp for kids is an opportunity for kids between the ages of eight and 12 to visit TransLink operating companies’ facilities to learn about how transit works and have some fun at the same time!
The day will start around 9 am at Edmonds Station, and we’ll head to SkyTrain Operations and Maintenance Centre (OMC). While there, we’ll visit where the SkyTrain is maintained and cleaned as well as the SkyTrain Control. Kids will get a chance to use the SkyTrain simulator, ask questions of SkyTrain staff and even take a trip on a train around the OMC testing track! After that, we’ll have a little lunch then say goodbye to OMC.
Next, we’ll hop back on SkyTrain and head for Gilmore Station. Once there, we’ll take a ride on a bus and get a behind-the-scenes tour of Burnaby Transit Centre!
We’ll see the fleet overhaul and where they fix and update almost everything on a bus, including the painting of buses and reupholstering of seats. We’ll also get a tour of the bus yard with articulated and 40-foot buses!
Afterwards, we’ll get to have fun on a 40-foot bus and talk to a bus operator instructor about what it’s like to drive a bus. Finally, we’ll get to talk with Transit Police and maybe Transit Security about everything they do. I’m told they’ll be bringing their vehicles and a special guest if we are lucky! Then, we’ll get back on a bus and drop everyone off at Gilmore Station. The day should wrap up around four o’clock.
Throughout the day, we’ll be taking breaks for short and fun games and other great stuff!
How to take part
Due to safety concerns for both OMC and BTC, we’re only able to take a maximum of 20 people on the camp. That means 10 kids (ages 8-12) and their guardians will be able to participate in the camp. Interested in a fun day on transit? If you’d like to participate, we’ll need kids to tell us (in 50 words or less) what they love about transit! And if you like, you can also submit a photo and/or a video as part of your entry. Before you or your little one starts typing or writing, you’ll want to read the participation guidelines.
Send your submissions to thebuzzer@translink.ca with “I Love Transit Camp Kids” in the subject field, or you can surface mail it to The Buzzer, 400 – 287 Nelson’s Court, New Westminster, BC, V3L 0E7. Be sure to include your name, age, where you heard about the camp, and the phone number and name of the guardian you wish to bring with you!
The deadline for submissions is August 24. If you are selected, we’ll need a participation form filled out by August 28.
We can’t wait for camp and to look through your submissions! Here are a few from last year!
Matthew, Andy, and Trevor were among the lucky kids who had the opportunity to attend I Love Transit Camp. Check out their submissions!
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I Love Transit Camp (Adults) September 3
It’s time to spread the love with the adult community of the Buzzer blog and those who just plain love transit! The first I Love Transit Camp for adults (age 16 13 and up) is an opportunity for adults to visit Burnaby Transit Centre and have some fun while you’re at it! UPDATE: all participants under the age of 18 who wish to attend must be accompanied by a parent/guardian or adult 19 years or older.
The day will start shortly after noon at Gilmore Station. Once there, we’ll take a ride on the bus and get a behind-the-scenes tour of Burnaby Transit Centre! We’ll see the fleet overhaul where they can fix and update almost everything on a bus, including the painting of buses and reupholstering of seats. We’ll also get a tour of the bus yard with articulated and 40-foot buses!
Afterwards, we’ll get to have fun on a 40-foot bus and play some games. We‘re planning some other activities and people to meet. Stay tuned on that! At the end of the day, we’ll get back on a bus and drop everyone off at Gilmore Station. The day should wrap up around four o’clock.
If there’s something you want to see or do specifically at BTC, let us know! We’ll try our best to accommodate your request.
How to take part
Due to safety concerns at BTC, we’re only able to take a maximum of 20 people on the camp. This means 20 adults will be able to participate in the camp. Interested in a fun day on transit? If you’d like to participate, we’ll need you to tell us (in 50 words or less) what you love about transit! And if you like, you can also submit a photo and/or a video as part of your entry. Before you start typing or writing, you’ll want to read the participation guidelines.
Send your submissions to thebuzzer@translink.ca with “I Love Transit Camp Adults” in the subject field, or you can surface mail it to The Buzzer, 400 – 287 Nelson’s Court, New Westminster, BC, V3L 0E7. Be sure to include your name, age, where you heard about the camp, and phone number!
The deadline for submissions is August 24. If you are selected, we’ll need a participation form filled out by August 28.
As the week approaches, we’ll fill blog readers in on more details about the camp. We’ll also let you know about contests during the week with some awesome prizes. Oh, and don’t forget to colour the latest edition of the print Buzzer. You could win a FareCard!
The Buzzer team is looking forward to it. Hope you are too!
Does a guardian have to come for the I Love Transit Camp? And can we use more than 50 words for the form?
Hi Eric: If you’re applying for I Love Transit Camp (Adults) 2015 you don’t need a guardian. If you are coming to the kids camp then you’ll need a parent or guardian to accompany you. We super strict with the word count, but please try your best to keep it close to 50 words. Good luck!
Why is here no more I love transit night?
Hi Ric: We’ve replaced the night with the camp this and last year. We did the night for five years and thought we’d try something new. We also get a lot of requests for tours and the kids really enjoyed the camp last year. I hope you’ll apply!
Robert, I’ll apply for sure but I sure hope I get selected among the 20 that get to go. I remember mentioning to you at the AGM that I didn’t like how I love transit camp was only for kids and am glad there is one offered for adults as well. As well I kept trying to arrange for BTC tour so glad it’s offered for the camp. Wish that OMC was also offered to the adults as well rather then just the kids
This year is still discriminatory. You discriminate against 13-15 year olds. Only 40 people can go this year. This is so unkind.
The most that we can look forward to is you telling us what we didn’t get to enjoy. I wonder what that lunch will taste like.
I would love to go but I am not very eloquent. My feelings would be hurt if I wasn’t selected. Maybe there will be more spots next year.
Hey I voted Yes, don’t worry about being eloquent, just tell us why you love transit the best you can! I look forward to seeing your entry : )
I hope someone post a YouTube vid of adult day at the Burnaby Transit Centre. What mysterious things happens there? What makes the Burnaby Transit Centre unique?
Hey ;), there’s one way to find out…apply for the camp! We will also be sure to take photographs to document the trip, so stay tuned for some of those. Thanks!
Hi Eugene:
You’re right about the age. I noted this on our Facebook page last week, but I’ve now updated the adult camp to 13 and up. Thanks for noting that discrepancy! As for the number of people on the tours, we would have loved to have taken more. However, tours of more than 20 plus staff already have to split during portions of the day due to safety requirements and the facilities have asked for groups no larger. I’m also afraid that it depends on resourcing. The camps are run on a skeleton crew and having two days of camps is all that we’re able accommodate. I hope you apply!
Why did the adults I Love Transit Camp not include OMC?
@ All
Yes, photographs, and explanations would go a long way to helping us enjoy the experience. I would encourage somebody to record a video, as well. This is especially true for how to control/drive the SkyTrain.
@ Robert
Thank you for making the correction.
I must say, though, that I’m still a little unhappy about it.
If the space is so limited, then charge a price to the first 40 people who apply. It makes no sense to do this for free. If you can do it for free, then maybe do it all year long for free, and do it while not being paid wages and salary.
I figure that if Translink is interested in taxing us or raising funds, then they should be spending every moment carefully. They should be bringing in as much revenue as possible, as opposed to giving away things for free, and discriminating while doing it.
As for me applying, I so badly want to go, but I’d rather save the spot for somebody else who loves it more than me. My complaints and discontent is more for the well being of the adult and teen community than just myself.
This is a great opportunity TransLink is presenting the public with.
I am also just curious as to why the adult camp did not include a tour of the OMC?
With SkyTrain being the longest elevated fully automated train system in the world, this would be an invaluable opportunity to see for many people and a great addition to the adult camp.