A new pilot project launched this school year is making it easier for Grade 9 students at Brantford Collegiate Institute and Vocational School (BCI) to get to school—without the yellow school bus.
In collaboration with Brantford Transit, the Grand Erie District School Board has introduced a program offering free city bus passes to eligible Grade 9 students who live in the West Brant area.
Specifically, the initiative targets students who live within 3.2 kilometers of BCI and therefore do not meet the distance threshold to qualify for regular school transportation.
“This partnership aims to make transportation options more accessible and convenient for students in this region of the city, while promoting sustainable modes of travel and fostering independence for secondary school learners,” said JoAnna Roberto, Director of Education for Grand Erie. “We’re excited to see it take shape this year.”
The passes are valid across all Brantford Transit routes and can be used whenever city buses are in operation, including evenings and weekends.
Several transit routes connect the West Brant region directly to BCI, and students can plan their trips using the Brantford Transit mobile app.
To receive their free transit pass, students must visit the Brantford Transit office in person for a one-time photo ID. Once issued, the pass can be renewed each semester, provided the student remains enrolled at BCI.
School officials hope the pilot program will ease daily commutes, reduce reliance on family transportation, and encourage more students to adopt public transit as a reliable, eco-friendly option.
The Grand Erie District School Board and Brantford Transit will evaluate the success of the initiative over the school year to determine whether it can be expanded in the future.
