Free youth transit passes are a win for kids in Tacoma and Pierce County. Here’s why

There is something new available to young people in Pierce County, and it is opening doors to opportunities in a big way.

In early 2022, the Washington State Legislature passed the Move Ahead Washington transportation package, signed by Gov. Inslee. The legislation included new support grants for transit agencies, provided they meet certain criteria — the most significant of which is providing youth ages 18 and under free rides. Pierce Transit has accepted the challenge, as have other transit agencies around our region. As a result, as of September 1, all youth in Pierce County can hop on a local or regional bus, train, light rail or other transit mode and ride free of charge. The program’s goals include providing mobility and opportunities for young people, and introducing the benefits of transit at an early age, thus steering young riders toward considering car-free commute options as they become adults.

This is an idea with proven benefits.

In 2019, thanks to voter-approved funding through Tacoma Creates, the City of Tacoma, Pierce Transit and Tacoma Public Schools (TPS) came together to provide all TPS high school students access to an ORCA card loaded with a Pierce Transit bus pass, good for unlimited local bus rides.

For students, equitable access to transportation has broken down barriers and opened doors. They can participate in extracurricular activities, get to work or internships, and attend community events — without the added stress of worrying about transportation. For example, TPS is partnering with the community to offer internships and jobs so students can gain working experience; those opportunities are not possible without transportation. Since our partnership began three years ago, we have provided bus passes to more than 8,000 students per year, and they’ve been used to take more than one million trips. The Free Youth Transit Pass is an exciting next step for TPS students because it expands transportation access throughout the state.

Youth having transportation is a critical piece of the Whole Child initiative — a community-wide effort to wrap around youth in-school, after-school and in our neighborhoods. When we provide youth with opportunities, positive experiences and reliable transportation, we are investing in the future of our community.

How to access the Free Youth Transit Pass

The Free Youth Transit Pass program allows all youth to ride transit for free. For now, rides can be taken by using a Youth ORCA card, good for rides on any Puget Sound transit system (Pierce Transit, Sound Transit, King County Metro, and others), or by showing the driver a current student ID. In 2023 and beyond, youth will need a Free Youth Transit Pass and can tap their card — and eventually a smartphone — to ride across the region.

Pierce Transit is working with Tacoma Public Schools and other school districts to distribute ORCA cards to high school students. Youth not in a traditional school setting or those younger than high school may obtain a card at Pierce Transit’s Bus Shop customer service location at Tacoma Dome Station or order one online.

For more details about the Free Youth Transit Pass and a video to assist new riders, visit PierceTransit.org/free-youth-pass. Riding is safe, with a public safety presence throughout the system, and new tools such as mobile ticketing, online and app-based trip planning, and real-time bus arrival information at transit centers, make it easy to ride.

The Free Youth Transit Pass brings to life the vision of breaking down transportation barriers for young people and enhancing opportunities. For that we express our gratitude to our state legislators, including Tacoma Representative and House Transportation Chair Jake Fey, for crafting the framework transit agencies are using to provide this new program.

Together, we are building a stronger community for our youth, after all, we are truly better together.

Mike Griffus is CEO of Pierce Transit, which provides rides on buses, paratransit vehicles and vanpools across 270 miles throughout Pierce County.

Dr. Joshua Garcia serves the students, staff, and community as the Superintendent of the Tacoma Public Schools.