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.
Philadelphia Could Lose Free Transit Program
The city’s upcoming budget doesn’t include the Zero Fare program, which offers free SEPTA fare to more than 24,000 residents.
Popular Tampa Bus Route Going Fare-Free
The initiative, which starts on January 5, is funded by parking fees.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Crime Continues to Drop on Philly, San Francisco Transit Systems
SEPTA and BART both saw significant declines in violent crime in the first quarter of 2025.
How South LA Green Spaces Power Community Health and Hope
Green spaces like South L.A. Wetlands Park are helping South Los Angeles residents promote healthy lifestyles, build community, and advocate for improvements that reflect local needs in historically underserved neighborhoods.
Sacramento Plans ‘Quick-Build’ Road Safety Projects
The city wants to accelerate small-scale safety improvements that use low-cost equipment to make an impact at dangerous intersections.
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
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service