The South Shore Line is hoping to get youngsters into the habit of riding trains by offering some new promotions.
“We’re doing everything we can to boost ridership,” Chief Experience and Engagement Officer Nicole Barker told the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District board Monday.
The Kit and Friends promotion, which goes live Oct. 16, involves a story about Kit the Fox, who lives in the Indiana Dunes, and her adventures with her friends. The idea is to spark curiosity about where Kit and children can go on the train and explore destinations along the way as well as learning about wildlife habitat and safety.
Kit the Fox QR codes will be available on train cars and in stations. These codes link kids to a webpage where they can download, read and color the Kit the Fox & Friends story, as well as access Kit & Friends coloring pages.
The promotion incudes a passport for conductors to punch when kids ride the train. Once they collect four punches, the kids earn a stuffed animal, Barker said. The animal will be shipped to their home.
“Our goal is to make every journey fun and educational for kids while providing peace of mind for parents with our ongoing safety campaign,” Barker said. “We look forward to welcoming families on board and seeing the joy this program brings to our community.”
The Kids Ride Free program allows up to three children age 13 and under to ride for free with a paying adult on weekends, holiday and daily off-peak trains.
This year, kids ride free on all trains Oct. 15 through Oct. 23 as a special promotion.
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“We know fall break is a great opportunity for families to get out and enjoy everything our region has to offer,” Barker said. “Expanding our Kids Ride Free program gives families another reason to hop aboard, try a new destination, and make the South Shore Line part of their fall break plans.”
A holiday train is planned this year for the first time, too, Barker said.
The special train will accommodate about 1,500 people. Metra offers one that sells out in minutes, she said. The mechanical department is working on special decorations for the train.
“Bonding families with the railroad is the goal here,” she said.
Doug Ross is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.