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Company covers Metro Costs for all Students in Lynwood Unified School District
Just in time for back to school, and through an innovative partnership with apparel and footwear retailer WSS, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) announced today that the Lynwood Unified School District will once again join the agency’s GoPass Program.
The WSS sponsorship provides each of the 11,386 students enrolled in Lynwood Unified School District with Metro’s GoPass allowing them unlimited free rides on Metro buses and trains and on other participating municipal transit operators.
“This unique approach demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships to deliver transportation in communities where access to affordable, convenient transit is a game-changer,” said Los Angeles Supervisor and Metro Board Chair Janice Hahn. “I’m grateful to the team at Metro and at WSS for making this connection and helping give these Lynwood students a leg up in getting where they need to go.”
The student free fare program, launched in October 2021, was made permanent by Metro’s Board of Directors in April 2024 after a two-and-a-half-year pilot. All schools in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) offer GoPass to their students as well as schools in 124 participating school districts (including public districts, charter networks, community colleges). GoPass is available to students in K-12 and community college.
“This partnership represents a significant step forward in supporting our local communities,” said Blanca Gonzalez, Senior VP and General Manager at WSS. “We are thrilled to contribute to the GoPass program, which plays a crucial role in providing students with the transportation they need to succeed both academically and personally. We believe that access to reliable transit options is essential for fostering educational and economic opportunities.”
Metro’s GoPass 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 without the worry of paying fares. 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. To find out if a school is participating, students or parents can use the school search tool at Metro.net/GoPass.
“I thank WSS for their partnership to provide free transit to students in the Lynwood School District and for seeing the long-term benefits of providing transit to more young people,” said Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metro. “Lynwood students will now be able to join nearly half a million of their peers who have used GoPass more than 40 million times to get to wherever they need and want to go. We look forward to welcoming these students onto our system in the coming school year.”
GoPass participants can take unlimited free rides on Metro bus and rail, AVTA, City of Commerce Transit, Culver CityBus, Foothill Transit, Glendale Beeline, GTrans, LADOT DASH, LA County Shuttles, Lawndale Beat, Long Beach Transit, Lynwood Trolley, Montebello Bus, Norwalk Transit, Pasadena Transit, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus and Torrance Transit. Together we are opening destinations for young people to experience throughout the region. Now museums, parks, the beach, concerts, and more are available to them with no transportation costs.
For over four decades, WSS has been more than a footwear and apparel retailer; it’s been a pillar of support for the communities it calls home, especially within diverse neighborhoods. Through WSS Cares! initiative, WSS has turned its stores into beacons of hope, supporting local and national nonprofits to weave a fabric of social impact that nurtures the future of our youth. At the heart of their efforts are sports and education programs designed to empower and uplift, showcasing their commitment to building and celebrating community and fostering a brighter future where every child can dream bigger, supported by the strength of their community.
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 one 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, twitter.com/metrolosangeles and twitter.com/metroLAalerts and instagram.com/metrolosangeles.
About WSS
WSS, a subsidiary of Foot Locker Inc., is based in Gardena, CA, and celebrates over 40 years of retail excellence. Renowned for its neighborhood-focused stores, WSS maintains strong connections within diverse communities. Operating more than 140 stores nationwide, WSS offers a vast selection of footwear, apparel, and accessories from top brands including Nike, Jordan, adidas, Vans, Puma, Converse, and others. Committed to community engagement, WSS actively supports local initiatives through its WSS Cares! programs, striving to make a meaningful impact in the neighborhoods it serves. For more information, visit www.shopwss.com and follow @shopwss on social media.
