"Hop on the Bus" Training Promotes Independence with Public Transportation

Using public transportation is an essential skill for people with disabilities to live and work in the community. Pace Suburban Bus has teamed up with jjslist.com to offer a free, hands-on, interactive workshop to help Chicagoland students learn to use public transportation for safe and independent travel. From March through May 7, 2014, the jjslist.com Pace "Hop on the Bus to Independence" Team conducted six workshops that reached almost 250 students.

The 90-minute "Hop on the Bus" workshop starts with the jjslist.com team, who show participants how to use the rtachicago.com online trip planner. Workshop attendees then explore a real Pace bus to find out how to pay a fare and what they need to know to reach their destinations safely. During the workshop, an RTA representative also reviews the physical accessibility bus feature.

We are happy to report the workshops have had overwhelming positive results. After taking a workshop, 75% of teachers felt that most students increased their ability to independently take a fixed-route Pace bus and 90% reported that students increased their ability to take a Pace bus with support. Additionally, as a result of the workshops, teachers reported that students had a better understanding of how the fare system works and how to use rtachicago.com to plan a trip.

One teacher from Prospect High School noted, "The people who presented were fantastic! It should be a must for all students with disabilities to take advantage of this program." Another teacher from Glenbrook South High School observed, "The Hop On the Bus workshop was a wonderful eye opening experience for our students. It answered questions and sharpened the skill of students with bus experience and made students new to the experience more confident and comfortable."

"Hop on the Bus" workshops are open to any public or private school, agency, or service provider that works with individuals with disabilities ages 14 and older within the six-county area serviced by Pace Suburban Bus (Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Will).

To find out more or to schedule a workshop, please contact Sarah Armour at 847-869-0000 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..