With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
K-12 and college students will get free Metrolink passes for another year
Metrolink extends passes for students of all ages who can ride Metrolink, the regional rail system, for free through 2025
(
Courtesy of Metrolink
)
Topline:
Students will be able to ride the Metrolink free of charge for another year, after the regional commuter rail service extended its Student Adventure Pass Program through June 30 2025. It lets K-12, trade school students and college students with a valid school ID to travel anywhere on the Metrolink system for free.
How the program began: It first began as a pilot program in October 2023, and has been used over a half a million times since launch, according to the agency.
Student ridership increases: Prior to the free fare program, students accounted for 16% of Metrolink’s ridership in May 2023. Student ridership has increased to 25% in the same timeframe this year.
Support for LAist comes from
How to get the pass: Students can either get a pass through the Metrolink mobile app, or through ticketing machines at any of Metrolink’s stations. The pass also allows for free transfers to several transit agencies, including LA Metro, and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA.)
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist