Diana Frias, a junior at Hoover High, wakes up every morning at 5:20 a.m. to catch the 6:45 a.m. bus for a two-mile trip to school. She’s one of many students across the city who rely on public buses for her education.
As the Metropolitan Transit System’s board considers putting a half-cent sales-tax increase on the November 2020 ballot to fund improvements to public transportation, Frias wants the board to consider a "Youth Opportunity Pass" program that would provide free bus rides for all students up to the age of 24.
“They allow us to get to school, to internships, and it overall gives you a sense of independence,” Frias said.
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On Tuesday, she invited County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher, who chairs the MTS board, to accompany her during her 30-minute morning commute so he can see how an investment could benefit young riders across the city.
“More frequency, safety and more Youth Opportunity Passes would improve public transportation,” Frias said. “That would improve our community greatly.”
Fletcher said he would support putting the sales-tax increase on the ballot to ensure that students are getting to school safely and on time.
“As a country, we offer this promise of universal K-12 education that’s supposed to be free,” he said upon arriving at Hoover High with Frias on Tuesday morning. “But if you have students who have to pay every single day just in order to be able to get to school, I don’t think we’re fulfilling that promise.”
The MTS board will vote in the spring to put the tax increase on the November ballot, according to a spokesman for Fletcher’s office.
