Tag: students

Categories
Construction Crosswalks Intersections Safety Traffic signals Uncategorized

heading back to school next week? >> take the steps to stay safe

For students heading back to school next week, it’s an exciting time. We’d like to remind you to make sure you always cross at a designated crosswalk.

check out our latest video with these safety messages

cross at the designated crosswalk

It can be tempting to cross between blocks, but it’s simply too dangerous. Drivers are not anticipating pedestrians crossing in the middle of the road and with lane closures in construction zones, it means extra caution is necessary.

be aware and alert

Students, always take the extra bit of time to go to the nearest crosswalk, put away distractions like earbuds and phones – and be aware of your surroundings, especially when walking near construction areas. Follow sidewalk detours and safely get on your way.

drivers, slow down

For drivers, during the back-to-school rush, it’s very important to be aware of the increased volume of pedestrians out and about.

safety is a shared responsibility

Because construction can change as work progresses, it’s important for everyone – pedestrians, cyclists and drivers – to pay attention to posted signs in and around construction zones. Watch for signs and traffic barrels that indicate lane shifts and closures, as well as relocated sidewalks and bus stops. Remember, safety is a shared responsibility!

 

For information about ongoing vivaNext projects, be sure to subscribe to email updates, and follow us on Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram, YouTube and Facebook. Questions or comments? Comment below or email us at contactus@vivanext.com.

Categories
Going Green Innovation Uncategorized

visions of the future

Blogpost by: Sara Grilli

Cellphones, television and public transit all have something in common – innovation.  At the time of their initial release, they each took a simple task [i.e., communication, entertainment and travel] and turned it into something easier and more accessible.  As time marched forward, each has continued to innovate.  Cellphones are now smartphones, televisions became “smart” and our favourite shows can be streamed.  Transit has also changed, from basic buses to GPS-tracked high-capacity vehicles with payment by smartphone and WIFI at terminals.

For several years, York Region Rapid Transit Corporation has hired summer students in various fields of work such as engineering, communications, finance, etc.  As part of their summer experience and learning, we assigned a group project to the students.  This year, the guidelines were purposely vague.  We asked our 16 students to imagine what the future would look like.  This task was not to focus only on transit, but big picture ideas as well – such as environmental, social/health benefits and community engagement.  They were to brainstorm, research, and then present their ideas to their colleagues and managers.  Here are a few amazing ideas they brought forward:

  • Customized transit services, available at the right time and place for each individual
  • Environmentally conscious travel, with solar panels and a commitment to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions
  • A change to the economy, where businesses and agencies can not only rent ad space on public transit, but also rent space to provide services
  • Social benefits, helping people to foster happiness and wellbeing by increasing their daily social interactions
  • More community engagement, where people can easily connect to what’s around them

No matter what your vision of the future looks like, it’s about making changes for the better.  If our young people are seeing these types of changes, you can bet that at least some aspects of them will come true.  We hope so, and we hope to see our students use their innovative thinking to flourish in their chosen careers!

Say innovation! 13 of our summer students from 2018
Categories
Community Events

Back to school with vivaNext

Drop by our booth at York University to learn how our plans will improve your quality of life.

Viva vehicles on the York University campus.
Viva vehicles on the York University campus.

The rapidways and subway extensions will make it faster and easier for people living and working in York Region to get around. This is especially true for current and future students, faculty and staff at York University. Within the next four years, new rapidway stops in dedicated lanes will be near the campus and within the next six years, two subway stops will be right on the campus. Construction will begin on both of these fully-funded projects within the year.

When complete, not only will you save time getting there, but you’ll save on parking. If you’ve already graduated, then these projects will make it faster and easier for you to get to work and connect with other places.

We will be on campus Sept. 16 for the Annual Clubs BBQ. On Sept. 17, we will be there, joined by all of the other public transit providers in the area plus cycling networks and car share companies, for the Transportation Fair.

Here is some more information about the events we’ll be at.

Annual Clubs BBQ

Date: Wednesday September 16 from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Location: Vanier Field

Transportation Fair

Date: Thursday September 17 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: York Lanes Mall