ETS 101
Building Early Transit Confidence
Introduction
Photos Supplied By: Edmonton Transit Service Website
Many youth begin using public transit independently between elementary and junior high. Recognizing this critical moment, Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) developed ETS 101—an immersive, hands-on transit training experience for Grade 6 students designed to build confidence, reduce anxiety, and establish positive transit habits.
How It Works
ETS 101 is a hybrid classroom and experiential field trip program that teaches students how to safely and confidently use public transit.
The program includes a short in-class introduction followed by a guided, chartered bus experience providing youth with real-world practice navigating transit systems.
Students learn:
How to read bus stop signs and route numbers
Boarding, fare payment, and transit etiquette
Safety awareness
How routes function
How to identify safe people and supports
As part of the training, students disembark and explore the Transit Centre – contributing to their understanding of transfers, safety features, and route planning.
Why It Works
ETS 101 is carefully designed:
So that students don’t just hear about transit, they experience it firsthand.
To occur just before students begin using transit independently.
To build confidence for parents and students
To provide a structured and controlled environment
To create a positive early experience
Key Takeaways
ETS 101 shows that building transit culture starts before ridership begins.
By combining real-world experience, strategic timing, and strong partnerships with schools, transit agencies can turn uncertainty into confidence and help create lifelong transit users.
