The SFMTA launched its 16-month, $8.5 million pilot program today offering free Muni rides to low-income kids.
Muni riders might see more youth on buses and trains starting today.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency launched its 16-month pilot program giving the city’s low-income youth a free rides on Muni.
The transit agency said more than 20,000 San Francisco kids have enrolled in the pilot project since January when it began accepting applications. In order to qualify for the program, applicants’ families must be beneath Bay Area median income levels.
A special Clipper Card was given to those youth who qualified for the program. All riders must still tag their Clipper Card regardless if the ride is free or not.
Advocates of the pilot program such as the People Organized to Win Employment Rights have been working more than a year to secure funding and persuade the SFMTA board to support the pilot.
The board approved the pilot project last April, contingent upon funds being made available from the Metropolitan Transportation Commission. The commission initially rejected funding for the pilot in July, leaving the program in limbo for several months.
It wasn’t until a federal grant was made available through the MTC in December that Muni was able to start the pilot.
The SFMTA received a total of $6.7 million from the grant, but opponents of the pilot program wanted the funds used for maintenance and other Muni service needs instead.
Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin said his transit agency would spend $1.6 million in funding the free Muni for youth pilot and $5.1 million to rehabilitating light-rail vehicles.
Funding also came from Muni general operating funds and from the San Francisco County Transportation Authority, said Muni spokesman Paul Rose. The total cost of pilot project is $8.5 million.
Reiskin said last month that the transit agency will be looking into school attendance, increased ridership, cleanliness, safety and security as part of evaluating the pilot project.
Students who still want to apply for the pilot can visit the SFMTA’s website for more information.
Jerold serves as a reporter and San Francisco Bureau Chief for SFBay covering transportation and occasionally City Hall and the Mayor's Office in San Francisco. His work on transportation has been recognized by the San Francisco Press Club. Born and raised in San Francisco, he graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in journalism. Jerold previously wrote for the San Francisco Public Press, a nonprofit, noncommercial news organization. When not reporting, you can find Jerold taking Muni to check out new places to eat in the city.
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