Mini-Case Study: Next Stop Storytime
Turning story time into a first transit experience
Photos Supplied By: Edmonton Transit Service
Introduction
For many young children, public transit can feel unfamiliar. Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) and Edmonton Public Library (EPL) found a simple way to change this: build transit into an existing family program.
Through Next Stop Storytime with ETS, families meet at a local library branch and take a dedicated ETS bus to a nearby park for songs, stories, and rhymes. For children, riding the bus becomes part of the experience. And for parents and caregivers, the trip offers a low-pressure introduction to transit in a safe, welcoming setting.
How It Started
In conversations with the Edmonton Public Library, ETS staff explored whether transit could be integrated into existing youth programming, especially during the library’s summer programming season. The result was a model that worked for both partners: EPL could offer a memorable off-site family experience, and ETS could introduce transit to young children in a fun, pressure-free way.
“For the younger kids, it’s not really about learning the system yet — it’s about making the bus feel exciting, friendly, and familiar.”
How It Works
EPL manages registration and promotion, while ETS coordinates the charter bus and operational support. Families just have to show up!
How It’s Going
The program has been delivered across multiple library branches, with strong interest from both staff and families. Demand is high, and events often fill quickly.
Even when weather conditions are less than ideal families still participate. The program is flexible enough to take place fully on the bus if needed, which helps avoid cancellations.
One of the most notable observations is that for very young children, the bus itself is often the highlight. The experience of riding, exploring, and interacting with the vehicle creates excitement that goes beyond the traditional story time format.
“The beauty of the program is its simplicity: the library brings the storytime, transit brings the bus, and together they create a positive first experience.”
Photos Supplied By: Edmonton Transit Service
Why the Model Works
Next Stop Storytime with ETS works because it makes it easy for families to participate and create a positive first transit experience. It also utilizes existing programming – the library provides the audience and programming structure, while transit adds a new dimension to the experience
Key Takeaways
Key learnings from this highly flexible programming include:
Partner with organizations that already have strong relationships with families
Keep the experience simple, fun, and age-appropriate
Focus on comfort and familiarity rather than formal instruction
Use registration to manage group size and logistics
Build flexibility into the program to account for weather or other variables
Treat early childhood engagement as part of long-term ridership development
Source: epl.bibliocommons.com/events/69eaa0dedeee9abd8ee8c6e2
