Starting school for the first time can be exciting – and a little overwhelming. To help make the transition easier for new and young bus riders, Student Transportation Services of Wellington-Dufferin (STWDSTS) is once again offering its First-Time Rider Program this August.
The free 45-minute program gives children – and their parents – the chance to learn about school bus safety and ride a real school bus before the first day of school.
The program runs on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, and families must register by Tuesday, August 19, 2025.
“The First-Time Rider Program is a really great program to get first-time riders on the bus before the first day of school,” said David Frier, Program Coordinator at STWDSTS.
At each participating site, families will:
Watch a fun and informative safety video
Learn about boarding and dismounting best practices
Participate in a Q&A session
Take a practice bus ride together
The safety video is available online at stwdsts.ca/first-rider-program, and covers topics such as how to safely cross the road, why parents shouldn’t call their children from across the street, and how to wait for the bus driver’s signal. After watching, children can even earn a printable safety certificate to celebrate their achievement.
“This program is as much for the parents as it is for the kids,” added Darren Gowing, Program Coordinator at STWDSTS. “Mom and Dad learn a few things as well – and they leave feeling better prepared to support their child.”
This long-running program has been helping families across the region for over ten years, with accessibility and inclusion at the forefront. The program is split up geographically by region, giving students and parents the opportunity to get to their closest school.
STWDSTS also provides wheelchair-accessible buses, and partners with school administrators to accommodate students with additional support needs wherever possible.
New this year, parents and guardians are allowed to ride the bus with their children during the practice trip – an update the organizers hope will further enhance the experience for families.
Families can register and find more details under the Parents tab at stwdsts.ca/first-rider-program.
Whether your child is a bus rider or a walker, the First Rider Program is a great way to build confidence, reinforce safety practices, and mark an exciting milestone in your child’s learning journey.
Program Date: Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Registration Deadline: Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Learn more and register: https://stwdsts.ca/first-rider-program