Madison Reporter

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway and Madison Metropolitan School District Interim Superintendent Lisa Kvistad recently announced the launch of Metro's fourth annual free summer youth pass program for Madison residents. The initiative, part of Mayor Rhodes-Conway's MetroForward campaign, offers complimentary rides to students from grades 6 through high school graduates, facilitating transportation to various destinations such as jobs, camps, and social activities.

Expressing her enthusiasm for the program, Mayor Rhodes-Conway highlighted its benefits, stating, "This program makes it easier for kids this summer to enjoy everything Madison has to offer." She also emphasized the environmental advantages of using public transit, noting its role in reducing carbon footprints, especially as the city transitions to electric buses.

MMSD Interim Superintendent Lisa Kvistad commended the collaboration with the City and Metro Transit, emphasizing their shared values of equity, accessibility, and environmental stewardship. Kvistad remarked, “Madison Metropolitan School District is fortunate to have partners like the City and Metro Transit. Those who share our equity vision and commitment to prioritizing accessibility and environmental responsibility.”

Metro Transit General Manager Justin Stuehrenberg highlighted the program's success, noting a significant increase in ridership over the years. Stuehrenberg reported that in 2021, approximately 38,000 rides were taken using the pass, which rose to about 41,000 rides in 2022. The previous summer witnessed over 138,000 rides facilitated through the passes.

Mayor Satya Rhodes-Conway reiterated the importance of the youth pass program for the community, especially for enabling young individuals to access the city's offerings. She stated, "I want to say how important I believe this pass program is for our community... Particularly for our young people to have full access to everything that Madison has to offer."

Students can anticipate the distribution of passes at MMSD schools towards the end of the academic year. Additional information about the program can be found on the official website at mymetrobus.com.