Metrolink extends their free student pass program to end of June
The Metrolink system has renewed its student pass to now end in June 2024 instead of March, allowing free rides for students to continue. Photo illustration by EMI THOMAS, Staff Photographer
Metrolink originally announced that they would be offering unlimited free rides to students in October 2023. The pass, known as the Student Adventure Pass, is available to students with an active school email and ID and was originally set to expire at the end of this March. Now, the pass has been extended to end in late June 2024.
As the month of March approached, there was the looming question as to whether the program would continue or end after the month. Metrolink CEO Darren Kettle announced the extension on March 7.
In a press release, Kettle explained the importance of the continuation of the program.
“I'm delighted by the remarkable success of the Student Adventure Pass program, empowering students to explore our communities while embracing sustainable transportation," Kettle said in the press release. "The direct feedback I have received from students and their enthusiasm for this program underscores the profound impact that removing barriers to transit can have.”
For students who use the Metrolink app, the extension of the pass is a different ticket that will show up in the system. The original pass will expire in the app and then be automatically replaced with the new extension pass. Students do not need to take any additional steps in order to receive the extension.
According to the same press release, it explained the importance of the program and the number of students who have taken advantage of the system so far.
“The Student Adventure Pass was designed to provide financial relief for students attending K-12, college and trade school institutions, while familiarizing them with the benefits of public transportation,” the press release stated. “Since the program’s inception, more than 20,000 Southern California students have taken at least one trip using the Student Adventure Pass, with more than 247,000 daily passes activated on the mobile app or procured from a Metrolink ticket machine.”
In total, there have been students from over 409 schools in the Metrolink service area who have used the pass, with student usage of the system having increased by 59% compared to the same time last year.
The pass started out as a pilot program that was funded by the Low Carbon Transit Operations Program (LCTOP). In order to continue the pass, the Metrolink Board of Directors transferred grant funding from another LCTOP program.
Metrolink is currently looking into additional funding to continue the program after the extension period ends in June.
In a press release announcing the original program, it explained how students could access the pass.
“To take advantage of the program, students can download the Metrolink mobile app, register using their school email address and verify their account to automatically receive the Student Adventure Pass in their mobile ticket wallet,” the press release stated. “Alternatively, students can obtain a free Student Adventure Pass at any Metrolink ticket machine.”
