Press Release: SolTrans Extends Youth Ride Free Program for Two More Years

NEWS RELEASE

August 11, 2025

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Solano County, CA – Solano County Transit (SolTrans) Board of Directors approved the extension of the successful Youth Ride Free Pilot Program for an additional two years, allowing youth aged18 and under to continue riding all SolTrans Local and Solano Express routes for free through June 2027.

 

The pilot program, launched in April 2024, has already made a significant impact on youth mobility in Solano County. It has helped reduce transportation barriers for students and families while encouraging young riders to use public transit for school, work, and recreational activities. In its first year, youth ridership more than doubled compared to the previous year—climbing back to pre-pandemic levels.

 

“We are committed to supporting our community by making transportation more accessible,” said Beth Kranda, Executive Director of SolTrans. “The success of the Youth Ride Free program has already shown promising results—not only in doubling youth ridership but also in helping reduce chronic absenteeism in both Benicia and Vallejo. By removing transportation barriers, we’re empowering students to get to school, explore their community, and build habits that support lifelong transit use.”

 

The Youth Ride Free program will continue throughout the 2025–2026 and 2026–2027 school years, as well as during summer breaks, providing consistent, no-cost transportation for youth year-round.

 

SolTrans encourages all youth to take advantage of this opportunity, whether commuting to a job, attending after-school programs, or visiting friends and family, SolTrans is here to help make every trip possible.

 

For more information about the Youth Ride Free program or to plan your next trip, visit SolTrans.org or call (707)648-4666.

 

Solano County Transit(SolTrans) has been the public transportation provider for south Solano County since July 2011. SolTrans provides local and Solano Express fixed routes and complementary paratransit. The agency is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) governed by a six-member Board of Directors, composed of two representatives from the cities of Benicia and Vallejo, Solano County’s representative on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), and are presentative from the Solano Transportation Authority.

 

Press Release: SolTrans Extends Youth Ride Free Program for Two More Years

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