Children 12 and younger can ride any BC Transit or TransLink service for free starting today (Sept. 1).
The provincial government estimated around 370,000 children throughout B.C. are eligible. Free ridership supports sustainable and active transportation options for children and families in all regions, according to a media release by the province.
A family that buys their child a $57 monthly TransLink pass for a year will save more than $687, while savings on a BC Transit children’s pass, at an average cost of $35 per month, adds up to $420 a year, the province said.
“It is my hope that by making public transit more affordable, this program will encourage families to take transit more frequently, give children the opportunity to see public transit as a comfortable, reliable way to get around and serve as an important part of our efforts to reduce carbon emissions,” said Kevin Quinn, CEO of TransLink.
Children 12 and under will be able to ride buses for free anywhere in the TransLink service area without requiring a transit pass, identification or an accompanying fare-paying customer. BC Transit will require children aged five and under to be accompanied by a person 12 or older, according to the province. Unaccompanied children aged six to 12 will be able to ride BC Transit buses and HandyDART for free, without requiring a fare product or identification.
To help build awareness for the program’s launch, the ministry of transportation and infrastructure released an official logo featuring the slogan “Get on Board – Kids 12 and Under Ride Free.”
