SacRT is now offering K-12 student passes for $20 per month, down from $55 per month previously. The passes can be used all the time, so are not just for accessing school, but for all transit travel.

Though this is a pilot program, in effect through June 30, 2018, it is hoped that the program will continue. What is will take for it to continue is enthusiastic adoption by students, community support, and funding. A bill, AB 17 (Holden), passed the 2017 legislative session to create a statewide pilot program for student discount fares, but was unfortunately vetoed by the governor. It would have provided participating local transit agencies flexibility about how and how much to discount passes. Hopefully a bill will be introduced in the 2018 session, but whether it is or not, SacRT has taken this forward looking step. It is hoped that the other transit agencies in the region will follow the SacRT lead and offer significant discounts for K-12 students.

SacRT’s purpose is largely twofold: to reverse the decline in student ridership that has occurred gradually over the years (along with all ridership), and more sharply with the fare increase in 2016, and even more importantly to create a base of life-long transit users.

People can purchase the traditional pass stickers, which must be placed on a SacRT issues student ID (not school student IDs), but a better option is to obtain a Connect Card and add the pass to the card. Both semi-monthly passes at $10 and full month passes are available, as is auto-reload so that the pass is automatically renewed. Students can also use the ZipPass app which offers $10 semi-monthly passes. The Connect Card option is probably the best as it allows quick boarding without bus operator interaction, while stickers and the app require the driver to look at the pass.

The ZipPass app and Connect Card auto-reload require a credit card, so people needing to use cash will have to visit a school (mostly but not entirely Sacramento City Unified), retail outlet, select BelAir and Raley’s markets, and the SacRT Service Center at the 13th St light rail station in midtown. Check the SacRT student pass web page for details about the pass and where and how to obtain one.

Students, get your pass this week, and transit to school next week. Younger students should ride with their parents the first few trips, and it is a good idea to ride with friends after that, but using transit is a step towards responsible independence and out of being trapped in your parent’s car.

Thank you, SacRT!

• SacRT