Photo courtesy of Pixabay user David Mark
A new regional partnership is taking shape, and those younger than 18 will soon have free access to local busses, trains, and light rail.
And it appears the city of Everett is the first to announce a start date of July 1st.
To be clear, free bus, light rail, and train rides for those under 18 won’t be given on the honor system, or by the kids having to show ID before boarding.
“The region is going to adopt a program, and the working title of this is the ‘Free Youth Transit Pass,'” Everett Transit Director Tom Hingson told his city council this week. “And it will be an ORCA product.”
…meaning youth will register for the new pass online, and carry a card with them.
Another thing Hingson pointed out to council members is that this won’t cost the city, when in fact, they have everything to gain. Estimates reveal Everett makes about 100-THOUSAND dollars a year on youth fares. By eliminating them, the city qualifies for grants totally nearly seven times that amount.
