Southland Transportation is the proud recipient of a 2012 Mayors’ Excellence Award thanks to its participation in the Book Bags for Kids program. The awards are presented annually to community partners that positively impact the education of children. Pictured left is Southland’s Assistant General Manager Kyrie Geurts with the award that was presented by Mayor Naheed Nenshi.

Other Book Bags for Kids partners are:

• safety
• customer service
• resourcefulness
• integrity
• positive attitude
• teamwork
• loyalty
• accountability
• respect
• dedication

Congratulations to Eleni Eleftheriou Cardinal, Irene Greer and Bob Clarke (pictured left to right). All three professional drivers make a positive impact daily on students and colleagues. They show us who bus drivers really are – caring, safe and professional.

Volunteers stuffed book bags and partnered with children to explore the new books they received and discuss reading and imagination. You can support the program by attending the Calgary Hitmen Teddy Bear Toss on December 4. Bring a new teddy bear and throw it on the ice when the Hitmen score. The teddy bears will be included in the Book Bags for Kids.

Southland is currently hiring mechanics and drivers. Visit our careers page for more information.

October 17- 21 is School Bus Safety Week!

Did you know that Transport Canada says school buses are one of the safest ways to transport children? School buses in Alberta travel the equivalent of 10 times around the Earth every school day and still maintain high safety standards! This is thanks to well trained professional drivers and frequent maintenance and inspection schedules.

As safe as school buses are, we still need your help. The most common incident is running into the back of a school bus. Stay back about two car lengths! If the weather is bad, stay further back. And remember to slow down – everyone’s kids are on board.

This year, recognize School Bus Safety Week by following these tips:

• Never park in school bus zones – this prevents buses from stopping at a safe location
• Take care when driving near buses – they can’t brake as quickly as other vehicles
• Make eye contact with children waiting to cross the road
• Dress children properly for the weather
• Drop children off on the school side of the road so they don’t have to cross the street

Southland Transportation is ready for another safe school year. Below is important information for parents with children riding a school bus.

1. Put your contact information inside your child’s backpack along with the name of the child’s school, bus route letter or number and stop location.
2. You can check for bus delays by visiting www.myschoolbusmonitor.com. Delays over 10 minutes are posted.
3. Kindergarten students must be met by a parent or guardian. If you cannot pick up your kindergartener, make alternate arrangements on paper and show your bus driver.
4. School bus drivers cannot make changes to the route. Contact your school board to request route changes. Click here for school board links.

If your child does not get off the bus at your stop, call our offices. Make sure you know the name of the child’s school, bus route letter or number and stop location.

Calgary (403) 287 1335

Edmonton (780) 455 8222

Cochrane (403) 932 7100

Okotoks (403) 938 3966

Rural East (403) 533 3959

North Battleford (306) 937 3750

Safety Tips

• Get to your stop five minutes early to avoid rushing
• Practice walking your children to their bus stop
• Don’t try to get on the bus – parents are not allowed on board
• Read the bus safety rules with your children

GlobalFest is back with a bang

It’s that time of the year again, as GlobalFest returns! Southland Transportation is proud to once again offer the best way to head down to the festival.

Southland buses will be available at Marlborough Mall every night of GlobalFest for the cost of $6 a person. Starting shortly after 5pm, buses will begin leaving for GlobalFest.

Once the fireworks have finished, Southland will begin to ferry passengers back to the mall. Getting to the most explosive outdoor festival of the summer shouldn’t be a headache, so hop on board a Southland bus and let us ease the pain.

GlobalFest 2011 Schedule

Friday August 19: China

Sunday August 21: Philippines

Tuesday August 23: Canada

Thursday August 25: Italy (2010 People’s Choice)

Saturday August 27: Finale

Southland volunteers kicked off the summer season by participating in the Alberta Children’s Hospital Parade in Calgary. Sally the Safety School Bus float was dusted off and decrated in a new “green” theme. After the parade, volunteers handed out safety goodie bags and applied temporary tatoos to the happy kids.

“It was exciting. I love entertaining kids…just putting a smile on their face,” says one volunteer.

Southland continued spreading the safety message at Buckaroos during the Calgary Stampede. Children were given safety activity books and do-it-yourself school bus crafts to help them learn school bus safety.

Look for school bus safety rules in various languages on our school bus page.

In 1998, Southland receptionist Michelle Eldridge received a kidney transplant. After suffering for several years through kidney failure, her sister came through as a donor. Now Michele is ready to pay it forward. From September 9th to 11th, she will walk 100 kilometres through Kananaskis Country to Calgary on behalf of The Kidney Foundation’s Kidney March.

“It’s an emotional weekend,” says Michelle. “I’m walking for those who are no longer with us.”

Michelle has a lot to be thankful for these days, especially her six-year-old son.

“I had my transplant 13 years ago and without it. I could never have had him.”

To sponsor a participant, visit www.kidneymarch.ca.

“I was surprised how my ‘accountant-like’ hands were already starting to heat up.”

“Once in the washroom I found a fundamental problem – it takes two arms to lift yourself off the wheelchair and at least one to get your pants down.”

“People in chairs…have to fight a constant battle. They don’t get around easily, doors that don’t open automatically are a pain, curbs – well forget about ‘em. Washroom breaks are 20 minutes at best and please don’t hang the paper towels so high.”

“We need to offer help when we can and don’t make assumptions.”