Community Transit

Marysville First Graders Create “Community” Art at Bus Shelter

December 14, 2011

Snohomish County, Wash. – First graders from Marysville Cooperative Education Program at Marshall Elementary in Marysville can call themselves community artists. The kids were on hand to unveil a new community-themed art project at a Community Transit bus shelter on 64th Street NE in front of the Marysville YMCA.

The brightly colored handprint design is a visual representation of Community Transit’s 26-year old School Transit Education Program (STEP), where the bus agency partners with local schools to educate children about pedestrian safety and how to ride the bus.

“Kids love to create art, and they love to get messy. If we can combine the two, we’ve got a winning program,” said STEP Coordinator Steve Peters.

Peters travels to more than 125 schools throughout Snohomish County every year, talking to about 10,000 students. He talks about traffic congestion, air pollution and public transportation using voices, silly faces and a go-cart sized bus to keep kids engaged. The highlight of the program is an actual ride on a Community Transit bus.

The idea to enhance STEP with an art shelter program was a way to beautify the community and give the kids a lasting sense of accomplishment. Community-based art has been known to create pride in public spaces and reduce graffiti. Although the Marshall Elementary shelter is the first STEP art shelter, Community Transit envisions more to come. Sue Masel, a designer and member of the agency’s Customer Relations Department, will help coordinate the art component of the program.

“It’s a natural evolution for this program,” said Peters. “STEP already has established relationships with dozens of schools and teachers throughout the county. I see myself first talking to classrooms about the benefits of public transportation then getting them to paint a shelter in their community. That makes for a great day!”

Community Transit is responsible for providing transportation options for Snohomish County residents, including bus and paratransit service, vanpool and ridesharing options. Call Community Transit at (425) 353-7433 or (800) 562-1375 for bus information, or (888) 814-1300 for carpool or vanpool information, or go to www.communitytransit.org. You can also read our blog at communitytransit.blogspot.com, visit our Facebook page or see us on YouTube. Support local businesses and Community Transit when you Buy Local for Transit; read more at www.communitytransit.org/buylocal.

Back to All News