Watch your step

Buses are among the safest forms of transport but many school children are still unaware that they play a part in getting safely to their destination.

Wait Before You Walk asks students, particularly those aged 11 to 16, to remain alert and aware of the traffic hazards when boarding and alighting from buses.

Transperth is driving the campaign in partnership with Regional Bus Services and School Bus Services.

“It is very important that students remember the risks involved when catching buses, particularly at bus stops where more than one bus is present,”

said Amy Vassallo, Regional Town Bus Services Manager.

The key messages of Wait Before You Walk are:

Be aware around traffic and wait before you walk onto the road.
Never cross the road in front or behind a bus, or between two buses.
Avoid distracting influences when attempting to cross the road.

Bus operators will be available to discuss student safety and other issues at two information sessions in Bunbury on Thursday, May 10.

The TransBunbury sessions will tell commuters about the renumbering of bus routes in the Bunbury area to pave the way for a new regional website. To be launched later this year, the new site will incorporate an easy-to-use Journey Planner.

The first sessions will be at Forum Shopping Centre, corner of Sandridge and Pennant Roads, Bunbury, from 10am to 1pm. The second session will be at Centrepoint Shopping Centre, corner of Blaire and Stirling Streets, Bunbury, from 3pm to 6pm.

Updated timetables will be available at these sessions but you can also get them from your bus driver and at Bunbury Bus Station from May 9. Alternatively, contact the InfoLine on 13 62 13, or online here.

Wait Before You Walk is part of the broader Get on Board education program which helps students to become safe and independent users of public transport.

To help promote Wait Before You Walk in your school visit www.transperth.wa.gov.au/About us/Community Education to download our free resource kit.

All groups great and small

Are you planning a class outing soon? There are two ways we can help you get on board quicker and easier.

The first is to enrol in our innovative Get on Board program where our specially trained staff will help you discover our network. From easy ticketing to safe travel, we cover everything your students will need to know.

One of the most popular facets of this program is our Get On Board Station Tour.

“Our feedback tells us that students love learning the intricacies of our network and getting to know the staff. They discover we are very approachable and friendly”, says Transperth Education Officer Carol-Ann Prinsloo.

But if you are planning an excursion on our trains your first stop should be our Group Booking Request form. Click here to download the Group Booking Request.

Each of our train lines has a manager responsible for group bookings that commence at stations along their train line. They can offer you a very affordable group ticket. The preferred method of payment is cash or cheque, as no purchase orders can be accepted.

“A single group ticket can ease your journey through the network” says Joondalup Passenger Service Manager, Barry Roughley.

But even if your group is not using a group ticket, Mr Roughley suggests it pays to use the Group Booking Request form to let us know you’re coming.

“It helps our staff be better organised to meet and greet groups. This ensures the safe movement of the group while minimising disruptions to services and other commuters.”

Need more information about excursions on the Transperth network? Call Transperth Education on 9326 3970 or email education@transperth.wa.gov.au.

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