Kindergarten children will have their first ride on a school bus in the coming days.

The First Rider program started on Monday at Alcona Glen Elementary School in Innisfil and Regent Park Public School in Orillia.

The First Rider program, run by the Simcoe County Student Transportation Consortium (SCSTC), offers its annual free ride on a large yellow bus, giving students who have never ridden the bus before a chance to practice before the first day of school.

Kim Malkamaki, CEO and General Manager at SCSTC, said: "We hope the program continues to help students and families be better prepared and have a better understanding of what to expect in the first few days of school."

Malkamaki said the program is free for all students in the area "No registration required."

Both the Simcoe County District School Board and the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board students are welcome at any of the schools listed below. The schedule is available on the SCSTC website.

First Rider Program:

-Monday, August 22
Innisfil, Alcona Glen Elementary School - 9 & 10 a.m.
Orillia, Regent Park Public School - 6p.m.
-Tuesday, August 23
Collingwood, St. Mary's Collingwood Catholic School - 6 p.m.
-Wednesday, August 24
Midland, Huron Park Public School - 9 & 10 a.m.
-Thursday, August 25
Bradford, Fred C. Cook Public School - 9 & 10 a.m.
Angus, Our Lady of Grace Catholic School - 6 p.m.
-Friday, August 26
Barrie, St. Michael the Archangel Catholic School - 9 & 10 a.m.
-Monday, August 29
Collingwood, Mountainview Elementary School - 9 & 10 a.m.
-Tuesday, August 30
Midland, Monsignor Castex Catholic School - 6 p.m.
-Wednesday, August 31
Orillia, Monsignor Lee Catholic School - 9 & 10 a.m.
Barrie, Terry Fox Elementary School - 6 p.m.
-Thursday, September 1
Innisfil, St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School - 6 p.m.
-Friday, September 2
Alliston, Holy Family Catholic School - 9 & 10 a.m.