SANDAG Approves Funds, Extends Free Youth Transit Passes By June 2024
San Diegans below the age of 18 will nonetheless be capable to experience public transit without cost by June 2024, with funding coming from the San Diego Affiliation of Governments‘ Fiscal Yr 2024 Funds handed Friday.
Among the many 221 initiatives and applications funded in FY 2024 is the extension of the Youth Alternative Move — which supplies individuals 18 and below entry to limitless free rides on the bus, Trolley, COASTER, and SPRINTER — by June 2024.
“I’m thrilled that the Youth Alternative Passes are absolutely funded by June 2024,” stated SANDAG and San Diego County Board of Supervisors Chairwoman Nora Vargas. “They aren’t only a free experience. This program brings safety and stability to the lives of scholars and youth and removes obstacles to allow them to have entry to training, work, and leisure actions that they might not have in any other case. I’m dedicated to increasing this program to these age 24 and below.”
The SANDAG Board of Administrators authorized its $1.2 billion funds for the San Diego area Friday, together with $98.6 million in projected prices for the general work program, $69.5 million for regional operations, and the annual portion of the capital program is projected to be $565.6 million, of which $129.4 million shall be handed by to Caltrans District 11 and different native businesses.
SANDAG, along with Metropolitan Transit System and North County Transit District, have distributed greater than 40,000 PRONTO playing cards across the San Diego area and extra 150,000 Youth PRONTO accounts are at present lively.
Within the first yr of the Youth Alternative Move program, the estimated variety of youth riders utilizing MTS companies has greater than tripled, from simply over 9,000 riders per 30 days final April to an estimated 32,000 youth riders this April,” stated MTS Appearing Board Chair and San Diego Councilman Stephen Whitburn. “It’s an astounding accomplishment in yr one of many program.
“These riders are essential to the prosperity of our transit system, and we’re proud to be a significant bridge between youth and the alternatives that can construct a brighter future for them,” he stated.
Because the begin of the go in 2022, youth across the San Diego area have taken greater than six million rides.
“The Youth Alternative Move has offered youth all through our area with expanded mobility choices and helps to create transit riders for all times,” stated NCTD Board of Administrators Chair Jewel Edson. “NCTD has seen a big improve in new youth riders because the program launched and is happy to accomplice with SANDAG and MTS on the extension of this essential profit for our area’s youth.”
In 2022, the YOP was funded by a mix of federal funds — $6.13 million allotted by SANDAG and $1.5 million by the County of San Diego. In FY 2024, SANDAG has dedicated to extending this system with a further $6.5 million.
Metropolis Information Service contributed to this text.
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