A Little Kindness Goes a Long Way

KRISTIN WARSINSKI
CEO
Riverside Transit Agency
Riverside, CA

Each day the same group of strangers ride the bus as part of their routine, carrying not only backpacks and work bags but also the day’s expectations and quiet anxieties. At first, they hardly notice one another, but over time a simple smile becomes a “good morning,” and soon they’re learning about each other’s lives. Through these small acts of kindness, the daily ride shifts from simply transportation into a moment of community.

Being in transit, I think we all recognize the “transit family” culture and how it shapes communities. To help foster these connections and positive vibes, Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) recently introduced a new community-centered way of riding together. It’s called Kindness Counts, and we believe it’s an essential part of building the future of public transit.

A great journey on any transit system starts with kindness and respect. Like all of us in the public transit industry, RTA has spent a significant amount of time with our team members on topics such as training, education, and helping the public get from Point A to Point B. We rarely pause to talk about kindness, yet it’s something that we all seem to be reaching for these days.

This campaign is built on a simple idea: the energy you bring on the bus sets the tone for everyone around you. Kindness isn’t just a nice extra; it’s part of how we create a transit system rooted in respect and shared responsibility. The campaign highlights what we call the Five P’s: friendly reminders from our rider code of conduct that help everyone feel comfortable and respected.

At RTA, this is how we ride together:

1. People—Treat people with kindness. The vibe you bring on the bus matters.
2. Property—A clean bus is a happy bus; leave it better than you found it.
3. Process—A smooth ride starts with one simple step; have your fare ready and follow the flow.
4. Prohibited—Save your food, drinks, loud music and loud conversation for when you get off the bus.
5. Penalty—Not following the rules may affect your ride and experience.

And most of all, we must remind ourselves to have patience. Millions of people ride our system every year, and we all have things going on in our lives. So, we try to be patient and understand what is happening in other people’s lives at that moment. No one is 100 percent every day. We all have bad days, so we need to be understanding. For me, these reminders aren’t about policing behavior; they’re about helping build a culture where kindness is the norm, not the exception.

At RTA, kindness starts with us. We are committed to creating a transit system rooted in respect, safety, and community pride. Our staff is focused on:

Treating everyone on board with dignity and respect
Making rides accessible, safe, and welcoming for all
Encouraging kindness and courtesy on every ride
Helping build trust across the region

Every day, we have the chance to shape someone’s experience, to set the tone, and to show what public transit can represent in the community. We encourage all our colleagues to start a new Kindness Counts initiative in your community. To learn more about the Kindness Counts campaign and to request a campaign starter toolkit, visit RiversideTransit.com/kindness.