25-Cent Bus Rides Kick Off This Summer For Students

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA – The Riverside Transit Agency is rolling out its special summer fares -- 25 cents per ride -- for students in grades 1 to 12.

Now in its third year, the program runs from June 1 and Sept. 3, and a valid school ID is all that is needed for rides to the movies, the beach or friends’ houses — in short, anywhere RTA buses go.

The special rate is a way for students to find safe, affordable ways during summer break, RTA Chair Art Welch said, adding that buses are equipped with free Wi-Fi service and USB charging ports.

“We are thrilled to bring this program back for another year,” he said. “It has really gone a long way in changing young people’s perception about riding the bus.”

And this year, starting June 18, RTA will make it easier to reach the beach with its expanded seasonal service on CommuterLink Route 202. The express route will provide additional weekday and weekend trips to the Oceanside Transit Center through Sept. 3. While the roundtrip cost is usually $6, students can ride for a quarter each way.

When RTA launched the quarter-rides during 2016 summer and winter breaks, youth ridership climbed by 44,000 boardings, officials said. RTA expects ridership to get another boost this summer with the 25-cent fares.

Students can bring bikes, surfboards or boogie boards on the buses, as well. While a school ID is the preferred method of getting a 25-ride, bus drivers also will accept RTA Youth ID cards, California driver licenses or state IDs showing the rider is under 19 years old.

For route and schedule information, contact RTA at (951) 565-5002 or go to RiversideTransit.com.

ALSO COMING UP NEARBY:

• Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival 2018: Lake Skinner Park

• Lake Elsinore Casino Summer Concerts 2018: Lake Elsinore

• Father's Day Car Show 2018: Murrieta

--Image courtesy of Riverside Transit