Freedom to the Kids

SolTrans Lets Kids Ride Free!

Exciting news from SolTrans! In April, they launched their groundbreaking Youth Ride Free Program, allowing children and young adults aged 18 and under to ride free on all Local Routes and Express Lines. The results are in: Youth ridership increased by an impressive 62% in May 2024 over May 2023.

This pilot program has three ambitious goals:

• Promote Access to Public Transit: By eliminating fare barriers, SolTrans aims to introduce the next generation to the joys and benefits of public transportation. This initiative fosters lifelong habits of using public transit, reducing reliance on personal vehicles, and promoting a greener future.
• Boost School Attendance: Reliable transportation is key to ensuring students can attend school regularly and participate in extracurricular activities. With free rides, SolTrans supports students’ access to educational opportunities and helps reduce absenteeism, making it easier for students to thrive academically.
• Grow Overall Ridership: By attracting new riders, especially the youth, SolTrans hopes to increase overall ridership on their Local Routes and Express Lines. This contributes to a more sustainable and efficient transportation system, benefiting the entire community.

The Youth Ride Free Program is set to run through June 2025, but SolTrans is eager to make it a permanent fixture. They need your help to spread the word—encourage kids to hop on board and explore the endless possibilities of where SolTrans can take them!

Stay tuned for more updates and success stories from this transformative initiative.