Starting today, students across Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties can ride SMART buses for free, all year long. The new program covers K–12 students along with community college and university students, as long as they show a valid school-issued ID when they board.
SMART is pitching the move as a regional push to knock down transportation costs that can block students from getting to school or work and to help families stretch tight budgets toward basics, according to WXYZ. The agency says the program was built with partners across the tri-county area and will apply to standard SMART routes. SMART General Manager Tiffany J. Gunter called the initiative “a game-changer.”
How the program works
The free-fare benefit applies to students enrolled in accredited K–12 schools, community colleges, and four-year universities. Riders simply flash a valid school ID to the driver and ride fare-free year-round, according to reporting from the Detroit Free Press.
Curtis Ivery, chancellor of Wayne County Community College District and a SMART board member, underscored what is at stake: “A student who cannot afford the bus may never make it to class,” he said, pointing to how a few dollars in fare can make or break attendance.
Connection to Detroit's Ride to Rise
SMART’s move arrives on the heels of Detroit’s own student-transit push. On April 6, Mayor Mary Sheffield launched the “Ride to Rise” pilot that lets Detroit K–12 students ride DDOT buses free, according to a City of Detroit news release.
City and regional leaders say pairing the two efforts is meant to cut chronic absenteeism and widen access to after-school programs, jobs, and internships across metro Detroit, the release states.
What students need to know
To ride free on SMART, students must present a valid school-issued ID when they board. SMART directs riders to its online resources for route maps, schedules, and any eligibility fine print. For schedules and service updates, visit the SMART website.
Why officials say it matters
Regional officials argue that cutting fares can help keep students in class and open more paths to jobs and training. SMART serves about 9 million riders a year and reports strong on-time performance, figures cited by the Detroit Free Press. Leaders say the program could also let families redirect transportation dollars to other pressing needs.
Districts, colleges, and students are being urged to keep an eye on school and SMART communications for details on rollout, ID requirements, and any verification steps. SMART and city officials say they view the change as a long-term answer to a recurring barrier, and they plan to track ridership and outcomes as the program’s first months play out.
_Detroit.jpg){kind=link}