LOS ANGELES – The Metro Board of Directors yesterday approved a motion authored by Los Angeles Mayor and Metro Board Chair Karen Bass to make the successful Student GoPass Pilot Program permanent. The motion also directs Metro staff to explore opportunities to provide unlimited free rides to income-eligible riders through Metro’s Low-Income-Fare-is-Easy (LIFE) program.
“Cost should never be a barrier to accessibility or opportunity. The GoPass Pilot Program has opened the doors of opportunity for hundreds of thousands of young people riding the system. Now it’s time to make it permanent,” said Mayor Karen Bass. “I also want to encourage students in Los Angeles to participate in the GoPass Pilot Program. If you’re a LAUSD or Los Angeles Community College student you are eligible for free, unlimited rides on Metro’s buses and trains.”
The GoPass Pilot is phase one of Metro’s Fareless System Initiative, a strategic effort to build transit ridership and support communities with their transportation needs. GoPass participation is now over 350,000 registered students from 1,570 participating schools in 115 participating school districts (including public districts, charter networks, community colleges, vocational schools, and private schools). The co-authors of the motion are 2nd Vice Chair and Whittier Mayor Pro Tem Fernando Dutra, Director and Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts, Director Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker, Director and County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell and Director and County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis.
“By making the GoPass program permanent and offering students free and unlimited public transit, we are investing in our youth by offering them improved educational, economic, and social opportunities,” said Metro Board Director and Los Angeles County Supervisor Hilda L. Solis. “LA Metro’s GoPass, simply put, fosters a more equitable generation dedicated to climate justice. It’s a win-win-win for our youth, economy, and climate.”
“Across all measures, the GoPass program has had tremendous success with incredible outcomes to student graduation and school participation. I’m proud to support Metro Chair Mayor Bass in making GoPass permanent,” said Holly J. Mitchell, Metro Board Director and Los Angeles County Supervisor. “It is the clear next step for the program and fundamental to building the next generation of transit users. Continuing to enhance and innovate not only the GoPass Program but also LIFE is needed to ensure more people can benefit from our growing transit system.”
"GoPass equals equity and opportunity for our youth and students. Free transportation translates into access and freedom. Go Metro!" said Metro Board Director and Mayor of Inglewood James T. Butts.
“Yesterday the Metro Board made a giant investment in the future of our workforce. The GoPass program enables more students to access their education and complete high school and college,” said Metro 2nd Vice Chair and Whittier Mayor Pro Tem Fernando Dutra. “Students shouldn’t have to choose between getting to class or eating a meal.”
“Under the leadership of Metro Board Chair and Los Angeles Mayor Bass, we are continuing the work to make Metro more accessible and affordable to Angelenos all over the region. I am so proud that we are making the system free for students on a permanent basis, and I look forward to the positive impacts that the GoPass program will continue to have for young people, said Metro Board Director Jacquelyn Dupont-Walker. “Students deserve opportunities to be successful in school and in life, and the GoPass program furthers that goal. Thank you Mayor Bass for leading this effort and keeping your promises as we bridge to farelessness on the system."
Visit Metro’s GoPass Pilot Program website to learn more and to check participating schools.