SMMUSD joins LA Metro Fareless System Initiative
By Sam Catanzaro
Santa Monica public school students can now ride LA Metro, Big Blue Bus, CulverCity Bus and LADOT Dash for free.
On November 18, 2021, the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District Board of Education approved the LA Metro Fareless System Initiative (FSI) for student riders. TAP cards will be available for students at their schools starting the week of December 13, with specific information posted on campuses.
According to officials, the main goal of the program is to reduce the number of student and family vehicles driving to SMMUSD. The program includes free rides on Metro and Big Blue Bus to and from school and for trips after school and on weekends. The $28,000 cost to the District comes out to $3 a student, SMMUSD says.
“We are pleased to announce this partnership with LA Metro that aligns with our Sustainability Plan goal of expanding student commuting practices and increasing student use of public transit and other alternative modes such as walking and biking to school,” said SMMUSD Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati. “This program will also reduce local traffic congestion and vehicle pollution in our communities.”
According to LA Metro, the program is set to run now through June 30, 2023.
As reported by the Santa Monica Lookout, the majority of cost will be picked up by the City and in total, the Big Blue Bus will lose between $350,000 and $550,000 during the pilot.
For more information visit taptogo.net/gopass/
