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Open Access Publications from the University of California

LA County’s GoPass Program Helped Build Transit Ridership While Enhancing Student Outcomes

Abstract

In fall 2021, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LA Metro) launched GoPass, which gives students from kindergarten through community college (K–14) at participating schools unlimited free rides on buses and trains. LA Metro designed the program to rebuild ridership, improve transportation access for disadvantaged communities, encourage life-long transit use, and lay the groundwork for seamless electronic payment for younger riders. By winter 2023, more than 241,000 students were enrolled, generating over 1.2 million monthly boardings–making GoPass the largest fareless program for students in the U.S.