Youth Ride Free program supports complementary public transportation this summer

Aanika Sawhney

Throughout the summer months of June, July and August, all students 18 and under in Marin will be able to utilize public transit across the North Bay for free. As a continuation of a similar initiative from the summer of 2022, the Youth Ride Free program aims to support independent, safe and affordable adventures. 

According to the February 2023 Marin Transit monitoring report, “Total ridership was 9 percent higher than the previous year (February 2022) and 19 percent lower than pre-COVID (February 2020).” 

Thus, there is ongoing excitement around re-establishing public transportation in Marin since the COVID-19 pandemic. Only a student ID is needed to access routes from the Sonoma Marin Area Rail Transit, Marin Transit, Sonoma County Transit, Santa Rosa City Bus and Petaluma Transit. 

Students line up for Marin Transit’s popular after school Tiburon route.