The Antelope Valley Union High School District Board has approved the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (L.A. Metro) GoPass program.
Originally launched in August 2021, the GoPass program helps Los Angeles County students and their families improve students’ access to school, deal with high costs of living and better connect them to jobs, after school programs, clubs and other essential services by providing unlimited, free transit rides to K-12 in participating school districts.
With an active GoPass TAP card, students enjoy unlimited free rides on the Antelope Valley Transit Authority (AVTA) fixed route local bus service. Additionally, the pass works on L.A. Metro bus and rail and other participating southern California transit agencies.
L.A. Metro and 14 municipal transit agencies partner on the GoPass pilot program, including AVTA, the city of Commerce Municipal Transit Lines, the city of L.A.’s DASH lines, Culver CityBus, Foothill Transit, Gardena Transit (GTrans), Glendale Beeline, L.A. County Shuttles, Long Beach Transit, Norwalk Transit, Montebello Bus, Pasadena Transit, Santa Monica's Big Blue Bus, and Torrance Transit.
According to AVTA, studies in L.A. County show students receiving a transit pass have up to 27 percent higher graduation rates. Studies also indicate access to public transit improves student health, feeling of wellbeing and general success. Families of K-12 students who participate in the GoPass program see an annual savings of $312 per student.
“AVTA is dedicated to finding a solution to cover the cost of transportation for the students of the Antelope Valley,” said city of Landcaster, Calif., Vice Mayor Marvin Crist. “Bringing the GoPass program to the Antelope Valley delivers a tool for our school districts. While it doesn’t solve every student’s transportation need, it does provide access and covers the transportation costs for many Antelope Valley students. GoPass really benefits many needy families in the A.V. that are suffering under this problematic economy.”
