The Youth Opportunity Pass program provides free transit to San Diego County youth in an effort to boost ridership and improve transportation options for young residents.
San Diego County residents under 18 will have access to free transit service, according to an article by Jermaine Ong. “The SANDAG Youth Opportunity Pass pilot program, touted as the first of its kind in the region, is designed to make transportation easier for San Diegans 18 years of age and under, as well as encourage ridership.” As stated on the MTS website, “To be eligible for the Youth Opportunity Pass, riders 18 & under must have a Youth PRONTO app account, or a PRONTO Youth card, and travel with proof of eligibility.”
The program applies to Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) and North County Transit District (NCTD) services. “Officials said the program is being funded by $6.13 million from SANDAG, in a partnership with San Diego County,” through June 30, 2023. The MTS website notes that “If the pilot program is not extended beyond June 30, 2023, normal Youth fares will be reinstated.”
Proponents of fare-free transit say eliminating fares helps increase equity, reduces the burden on low-income, transit-dependent riders, and eliminates the need for fare collection and enforcement. Others, meanwhile, caution that without additional investment in transit to replace lost revenue, free fares could lead to reductions in reliable service.
FULL STORY: New program to provide free public transit for San Diego kids
Free Transit Starts September 1 for Seattle Youth
Sound Transit is launching a fare-free program for young riders in the hopes of educating and recruiting future riders and making schools and jobs more accessible to transit-dependent youth.
Popular Tampa Bus Route Going Fare-Free
The initiative, which starts on January 5, is funded by parking fees.
Terre Haute Transit Goes Fare-Free
Buses in the Indiana city will be free as of January 2.
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Test News Post 1
This is a summary
Analysis: Cybertruck Fatality Rate Far Exceeds That of Ford Pinto
The Tesla Cybertruck was recalled seven times last year.
Test News Headline 46
Test for the image on the front page.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service