Thousands of young students in San Bernardino County can look forward to another year of free bus rides to school, thanks to a move by Omnitrans to expand its Free Fares for School program. Launched to boost access to education and reduce traffic congestion, the program now gears up to offer more than one million free rides across the county, taking kids from home to classrooms without costing a dime.
Originally catering to students up through high school, the initiative has seen a significant uptake, with kids climbing aboard for not just school but also for after-school programs and recreational jaunts. Looking to next year, the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is backing the program yet again, ensuring that those under 18 can roam freely on the county’s various bus routes. Omnitrans' General Manager Erin Rogers expressed gratitude for the ongoing support: “We are grateful that SBCTA has decided to fund Free Fares for School for the next school year, given its use and the need for such an initiative in our region,” said Rogers in a statement obtained by San Bernardino County's official news release.
The countywide expansion boasts inclusivity by knocking down transportation barriers and is applauded by parents, school administrators, and community leaders who recognize the benefit of unhindered mobility for students. Armed with just their student ID cards, kids 18 and under are given a passport to unlimited rides on Omnitrans’ 29 routes. The program broadens its canopy to cover Basin Transit, Mountain Transit, Needles Transit, and Victor Valley Transit Authority bus services. For comprehensive details on the Free Fares for School program, interested parties are encouraged to visit the Omnitrans website.
