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More than 130 school districts benefit from improved school attendance and families benefit from year-round free rides on Metro, 18 other transit systems
More than 500,000 students are traveling for free to school, work and leisure activities on L.A. Metro and 18 other transit systems as part of L.A. Metro’s GoPass program, which is celebrating nearly 60 million student boardings since its inception in October 2021.
“This is a big milestone for the GoPass program and shows just how important it has become for families across LA County,” said Los Angeles Supervisor and Metro Board Chair Janice Hahn. “Transportation needs shouldn’t get in the way of any student’s education. For many students across LA County, the free Metro rides through our GoPass program have made all the difference.”
Metro’s GoPass program, which first launched as a pilot program and was made permanent by Metro’s board in April 2024, is available to all students whose school district has registered with the program. Participating schools distribute TAP cards and activation codes so students can ride transit to school, extracurricular activities or work. Students can activate their cards on the online GoPass portal or by calling 866.TAPTOGO. They also have the option of using a virtual TAP card on the TAP LA App.
“GoPass has introduced half a million students to transit, so they feel confident riding it to school, or wherever they need or want to go,” said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. “These young people and their families are realizing all the benefits that a safe, clean and efficient transit system can deliver for them and their communities. We hope they will choose to become lifelong transit riders.”
All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) offer GoPass to their students, as do schools in more than 130 additional participating school districts including public districts, charter networks, private schools and community colleges. Metro encourages students, families and school districts to participate in the GoPass program, which provides free transit on Metro buses and trains, as well as 18 additional transit agencies, to students in K-12 and community colleges.
“We at Santa Monica College (SMC) are so pleased to know so many of our students are getting their basic needs met affordably and reliably by having easy access to public transit,” said Kathryn E. Jeffery, Ph.D., Superintendent/President of SMC. “Metro’s GoPass program is making it even easier for many more community college and secondary students to access an affordable quality education, internships, jobs, and everything else students want and need to do every day.”
GoPass participants can take unlimited free rides, for any travel purpose, on Metro bus and rail, AVTA, Burbank Bus, City of Commerce Transit, Culver CityBus, Foothill Transit, Glendale Beeline, Glendora Transit, GTrans, LADOT DASH, LA County Shuttles, Long Beach Transit, Lynwood Trolley, Montebello Bus, Norwalk Transit, Pasadena Transit, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus and Torrance Transit.
“We’re grateful to Metro for making transportation free and accessible for our Long Beach Unified students,” said Superintendent Dr. Jill A. Baker, Superintendent of Long Beach Unified. “The GoPass program helps remove everyday barriers by offering safe, reliable transit that connects students to school, enrichment, and opportunity. We look forward to continuing this partnership that expands access and supports student success.”
The GoPass program has significantly improved both student outcomes and school performance across Los Angeles County. Schools report that students rely on GoPass to get to class each day, with many districts citing improved attendance since the program’s launch, which can also lead to increases in district revenue. In a recent survey, 78% of GoPass students reported better school attendance and 94% said they felt better overall, highlighting the program’s impact on both access to education and student well-being.
For more information on the Metro GoPass program visit: Metro.net/GoPass.
About Metro
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) is building the most ambitious transportation infrastructure program in the United States and is working to greatly improve mobility through its Vision 2028 Plan. Metro is the lead transportation planning and funding agency for L.A. County and carries nearly 1 million boardings daily on four light rail and two subway lines and 119 bus lines utilizing more than 2,000 low-emission buses.
Stay informed by following Metro on The Source and El Pasajero at metro.net, facebook.com/losangelesmetro, x.com/metrolosangeles and x.com/metroLAalerts and instagram.com/metrolosangeles.
