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.
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?
Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.
Updating LA’s Tree Rules Could Bring More Shade to Underserved Neighborhoods
A new USC study finds that relaxing Los Angeles’ outdated tree planting guidelines could significantly expand urban tree canopy and reduce shade disparities in lower-income neighborhoods, though infrastructure investments are also needed.
California's Canal Solar Projects Aim to Conserve Resources and Expand Clean Energy
California’s Project Nexus has begun generating electricity from solar panels installed over irrigation canals, with researchers and state agencies exploring statewide expansion to conserve water and boost clean energy production.
HHS Staff Cuts Gut Energy Assistance Program
The full staff of a federal program that distributes heating and cooling assistance for low-income families was laid off, jeopardizing the program’s operations.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland