Youth from transitional kindergarten through 12th-grade can ride free for the summer with the RydeFreeRT card. Photo courtesy of Sacramento Regional Transit District

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - Area youth can enjoy more freedom this summer to get to jobs, shopping centers, restaurants and more via Sacramento Regional Transit District’s RydeFreeRT, the fare-free transit program for students/youth. 

The cards are valid for transitional kindergarteners through 12th-graders.

New RydeFreeRT cards with a valid date of June 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025, are now available for students to ride for free the entire SacRT transit network, including Sacramento Regional Transit District fixed-route buses, light rail and SmaRT Ride on-demand micro transit service. 

RydeFreeRT is available daily during regular SacRT service hours.

To ride free, students/youth need a valid RydeFreeRT card. Youth who are experiencing homelessness or taking part in foster programs can participate in the program, regardless of their current residence or school address.

Students and youth who do not have a RydeFreeRT card can visit Sacramento Regional Transit District’s Customer Service and Sales Center at 1225 R St. (adjacent to the 13th Street Station) or a participating Sacramento library. For more information, visit rydefreert.com or call 916-321-BUSS (2877).

Launched in 2019, RydeFreeRT was the first unrestricted youth fare-free ride program in the country, according to Sacramento Regional Transit District. The 265,000 youth living in Sacramento Regional Transit District’s service area, from transitional kindergarten to 12th-grade, including home-schooled students, foster and unhoused youth, can ride all buses and light rail trains for free, all day, any day of the year.

The RydeFreeRT program has helped boost student ridership, which now accounts for nearly 25% of all Sacramento Regional Transit District bus and light rail rides over the last year. In fact, student ridership is on pace to carry 4.2 million youth in Fiscal Year 2024, double what it was in 2019 pre-pandemic.

Note: The RydeFreeRT program does not apply to those over 18 years old that are pursuing their GED.