SamTrans kicks off its fourth annual Art Takes A Bus Ride contest, in cooperation with the San Mateo County Office of Education. This year’s contest theme is “Go Green, Go SamTrans,” and students will be asked to illustrate this theme on paper.

The young artists are encouraged to use a variety of media, including water color, acrylic, crayon and collage.

A total of eight designs will be selected from the student submissions, with two winners from each grade division – grades K-1; 2-3; 4-5; and 6-8. One grand prize winner will be selected from the eight winners and be used as a design on a monthly bus pass.

San Mateo County teachers interested in more information and how to submit student entries, can call Marilyn Canadas, San Mateo County Office of Education, at 650-802-5338. Deadline for entries is Friday, March 28, at 5 p.m.

The artists’ winning entries also will be featured on ad cards inside SamTrans buses, and in the special SamTrans Art Bus, which is “wrapped” in the colorful art work of the artists. The winning entries will be featured inside SamTrans buses all summer, which will be used in regular revenue service throughout the county.

The winners also receive a SamTrans Summer Youth Pass, a certificate and framed copy of the bus card that displays their art work, as well as an assortment of art supplies.

Last year, eight winning designs were selected from more than 300 entries submitted by San Mateo County students from kindergarten to eighth grade. The grand prize-winning entry was submitted by Kezia Maximillian, a sixth grader at Daniel Webster School in Daly City.

On a typical weekday, more than 11,000 young people ride SamTrans buses. This is more than 24 percent of the District’s total ridership. In addition to a discounted youth fare, tokens and monthly youth pass, the district also encourages young people to ride the bus by offering a deeply discounted summer youth pass for riders 17 years old and younger.

(02/29/08) - msk
Media Contact: Mary Knuckles, 650-508-6356