KALAMAZOO, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — The City of Kalamazoo announced Monday that the Youth Mobility bus passes will be accepted during all Metro operations hours as of Monday, February 3.
The Youth Mobility Fund is a partnership between the City of Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Public Schools, Metro and Kalamazoo Public Libraries that allows students to use their school ID as a bus pass, which also doubles as a library card.
The announcement ends a brief halt on accepting the passes from 2-4 p.m. on weekdays.
Students will continue to be allowed to use a school-issued ID card that has been validated with a sticker and opt-in form through the end of this school year. This sticker system was adapted last November due to technical limitations.
Opt-in forms can be filed with the administration office at four area schools (Loy Norrix, Kalamazoo Central, Phoenix, and KILP) for a validation sticker until June 1.
Officials say the sticker passes will remain valid until new cards with improved technology are issued next school year.
During a City Commission meeting on Monday, February 3, Metro authorities spoke with city officials to thank them for their partnership into the program.
“[Thank You] for partnering with us on the Youth Mobility Program, the Foundation for Excellence for funding that program, and Kalamazoo Public Schools,” Central County Transportation Authority (CCTA) Executive Director Sean McBride said. “There’s been a tremendous amount of ridership with that program; our high month was October with about 35,000 rides through that program.”
According to city data, over 120,000 trips have been taken on Metro buses by 9-12 grade students since August 2019.
Officials say that the students using the program represent 12% of all Metro ridership.
