The City of Madison, Metro Transit, and the Madison Metropolitan School District are proud to partner in offering free summer bus passes to Madison students. Every young person living in Madison, entering 6th graders through graduating high school students, is eligible for a free pass.

At the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station outside of East High School, City and school district leaders held a news conference with students to encourage young people to take advantage of the Summer Youth Passes program.

“Last year we had more than 2,700 students sign up for these passes, and collectively they took 82,000 trips in the course of the summer. That's a lot of getting around Madison. Our BRT routes have made it easier than ever to use Metro without worrying about missing a bus. We want even more students to take advantage of the program this year.” — Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway

“Having a key to get all over our city to participate in our summer programs is so vitally important to our students and their families. There are so many ways for our students to be involved, engaged, and participate in our community…. This gives them access to our entire city.” — Dr. Joe Gothard, MMSD Superintendent

“Helping students develop independence, confidence, and a connection to opportunities is what the Summer Youth Pass program is all about. Metro Transit is thrilled to provide reliable transportation for our youth to enjoy summer activities across our community.” — Jamie Acton, General Manager of Metro Transit

“My bus pass was my original passport to independence. It's how I got to know my community. It's how I got to participate in my community, and I'm so grateful that we continue to extend that opportunity to our young people today.” — Ali Muldrow, MMSD School Board Member

“We're really excited for this partnership…. A lot of our schools are food sites that are available for students, and so that just provides an additional access that they might not have during the summer.” — Patrice Haste, Principal of East High School

“You're able to transfer anywhere on the bus. So with us having bus passes in the summer, it makes it easier for us to get to summer school, summer sports, even work or internships.” — Janeia Maynard-Woods, East High School student

“I rely on public transportation a lot to get to work, to get to my sports practices, and to visit my sister, who goes to UW-Madison. It's really nice to not have to worry about having enough money in my account to get around. It just makes it really convenient to have this bus pass.” — Leah Knudson, East High School student

--Courtesy of the City of Madison, Wisconsin (Office of the Mayor)