Area Youth and College Students to Ride RTA Free

College students and area youth will soon be able to ride the bus for free. The Riverside Transit Agency Board of Directors has approved a plan that grants free rides to any youth 18 and under as well as students at Cal Baptist University, La Sierra University, Moreno Valley College, Mt. San Jacinto College, Norco College, Riverside City College and UC Riverside. The program, which is funded by a state grant, begins August 1 and is expected to last until next July. RTA officials are hopeful the free rides will propel declining ridership that has been caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The free rides are also designed to raise awareness and remind students and parents that public transportation is an available option for their transportation needs. Long-term, the promotion is a way to establish continued bus ridership among students. A free-ride program that includes both college students and area youth has been a longtime goal for RTA Chair Bridgette Moore. “As the state moves toward a new normalcy and more people begin riding public transportation, we are optimistic that these free rides will go a long way in generating interest and excitement among our youngest customers,” Moore said. To ride, students at participating colleges will use a free mobile ticketing app. Youth 18 and under will need to show valid ID to the driver. Once aboard, they can ride anywhere RTA buses go, anytime they operate.