Little Rock School District high school students will be able to ride Rock Region Metro buses for free for the academic school year thanks to a partnership between the district and the central Arkansas transit system.
Leaders from both institutions announced Tuesday that the new program will allow unlimited bus rides for one year for holders of special universal transit passes from the school district. The initiative kicks off Friday.
"We're excited to team with the Little Rock School District to offer this pass," said Jarod Varner, Rock Region Metro executive director. "The pass lets public high school students, their families and our city's commuters get more value out of our transit system by reducing traffic and parking congestion, reducing carbon emissions, improving our air quality, and eliminating the need for parents and other caregivers to make additional school drop-off and pickup trips during peak commuting hours."
Participants can show their specially marked passes to bus drivers and be able to use the bus system free of charge during all system operating hours and on all routes.
The Little Rock School District will pay a monthly flat fee of $1,500 to Rock Region Metro for the service.
"Transportation can be the difference in whether our students have access to educational enrichment, vocational training and jobs," said Michael Poore, Little Rock School District superintendent. "We are happy to partner with Rock Region Metro to make that access even more attainable by removing the fee barrier for our students. As we grow LRSD educational offerings, the ability to quickly connect students from school to school and from schools to internships and other employment opportunities is important to our success."
State Desk on 08/16/2017