Don’t forget your light: Tips for riding the bus safely this winter

Passengers can pick up a safety flasher at the Kitsap Transit’s Customer Service Office at the Bremerton Transportation Center. 

Halloween is upon us! But most Washington residents know that the real spookiest day of the year is the first Sunday in November, when we collectively roll back the clocks and it begins to get darker earlier in the evening.

During the darker winter months, your bus driver may have difficulty seeing you alongside the road. Here are some helpful tips to stay safe while boarding your bus:

• Check your bus schedule before you leave and give yourself extra time to get to your stop.

• Stand in a well-lit spot and use a flashlight or safety flasher. You can also use your smartphone as a light source to be visible to the driver.

• Laser-type lights can be a hazard to the bus operator. Please use flashlights or safety flashers and shine them on yourself or the ground, never at the bus. You can pick up a Kitsap Transit safety flasher at the Customer Service office inside the Bremerton Transportation Center or ask your driver for one!

• Please board the bus with caution, using handrails where available. During rainy weather, the bus floors and stairs can become slippery.

• Sign up for Rider Alerts to stay informed about the services you use and any potential disruptions to the route. You can also check the Rider Alerts page on our website.