The secondary school resource get on board! is designed for teachers to help students become more familiar with how the public transport system works and their responsibilities in sharing the ride with others.

Why young people need to get on board!

Young people begin to travel independently during their middle years of schooling – particularly to and from school. This travel can be undertaken by bus (either a dedicated school bus or a route bus), train, tram or a combination of these different modes of public transport.
There are a number of key safety issues for young people with using public transport, including safety when crossing:

• the road around buses
• railway lines, including at level crossings
• crossing to and from trams at roadside stops and safety zones.

Issues about responsibilities, rights and even how to use the public transport system also arise for young people and their families. Being unfamiliar with the system can discourage young people to use what can be a very effective means of travel.

Using get on board!, young people from metropolitan and country Victoria will be able to:

Increase their knowledge about, and confidence in, using Victoria’s public transport system

• Consider issues related to personal safety and responsibilities to other passengers that use public transport
• explore the costs and benefits of public transport use.

Teacher guide:

• provides background understanding of the Victorian public transport system
• includes teaching and learning strategies clearly linked to the information within get on board!
• does not assume prior teacher knowledge about issues and procedures relating to public transport use
• provides links to relevant web sites and other resources

Download the get on board teacher guide:

Suggested ways to use get on board!

Recognising current curriculum pressure at secondary schools, get on board! has been designed to be flexible enough to be included in short time contexts or incorporated into existing units of work. Consider using get on board! for:

• home group or pastoral programs
• orientation at the beginning of the school year
• part of a geography or personal development unit
• preparation for travel with work experience or an urban studies unit
• a resource for Health and Physical Education, Studies of Society and Environment or English

For your school's copy of get on board! rescource with CD-ROM and Teacher Guide, download and complete the get on board! order form:

Get on Board CD Rom order form (PDF) 29.20 kB

Contact Metlink Education

For more information, contact Metlink Education:
Phone: (03) 9619 5241
Fax: (03) 9619 5251
Email: [email protected]