LOS ANGELES, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Today, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) celebrates surpassing 40 million student boardings and more than 400,000 registered students using the free fare student GoPass for unlimited travel to school, work and leisure activities.
The free fare program, launched in October 2021, was made permanent by Metro’s board in April of this year after a successful two-and-a-half-year pilot. All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) offer GoPass to their students along with schools in 124 additional participating school districts (including public districts, charter networks, community colleges). Metro encourages students, families and school districts to participate in the GoPass program which provides free transit on Metro buses and trains to students in K-12 and community college.
“Transportation needs shouldn’t get in the way of any student’s education,” said Los Angeles Supervisor and Metro Board Chair Janice Hahn. “For many students and their families across LA County, the free Metro rides through our GoPass program has made all the difference.”
Metro’s GoPass is available to all students whose school district has registered with the program. Participating schools distribute TAP cards and activation codes so students can ride transit to school, extracurricular activities, or work without the worry of paying fares. Students can activate their cards on the online GoPass portal or by calling 866.TAPTOGO. They also have the option of using a virtual TAP card on the TAP LA App.
“GoPass has introduced nearly a half million students to transit, so they feel confident riding it to school, or wherever they need or want to go,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “These young people are helping Metro grow its student ridership and realizing all the benefits that a safe, clean, and efficient transit system can deliver for them and their communities. We look forward to welcoming even more students onto our system in the coming school year.”
GoPass participants can take unlimited free rides on Metro bus and rail, AVTA, City of Commerce Transit, Culver CityBus, Foothill Transit, Glendale Beeline, GTrans, LADOT DASH, LA County Shuttles, Long Beach Transit, Lynwood Trolley, Montebello Bus, Norwalk Transit, Pasadena Transit, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus and Torrance Transit. Together we are opening destinations for young people to experience throughout the region. Now museums, parks, the beach, concerts, and more are available to them with no transportation costs.
For more information on the Metro GoPass program visit: Metro.net/GoPass.
About Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan. Metro is the lead transportation planning and funding agency for L.A. County and carries nearly one million boardings daily on four light rail and two subway lines and 119 bus lines utilizing more than 2,000 low-emission buses.
Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at https://metro.net, facebook.com/losangelesmetro, twitter.com/metrolosangeles and twitter.com/metroLAalerts and instagram.com/metrolosangeles.
###
News based on press release as provided by METRO. This version first appeared on CaliforniaNewswire.com
Originally published on CaliforniaNewswire.com — L.A. METRO’S GoPass Program Reaches 40 million student boardings in Los Angeles