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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!

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It’s time again to tell everyone why we love transit!
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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!

Inside one of the buildings at OMC!
Inside one of the buildings at OMC!

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!

Transit Police car
A Transit Police car!

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!

Andy with his bus and SkyTrain cut outs!
Andy with his bus and SkyTrain cut outs!

Trevor and his collection of bus models!
Trevor and his collection of bus models!

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.

BTC fleet overhaul!
BTC fleet overhaul!

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!

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