Youth Mobility Fund

Helping Kalamazoo’s youth get where they need to go in our City so that they can get where they need to go in life.

Starting this fall, Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS) high school students won’t need to worry about transportation! The City of Kalamazoo has partnered with Metro, Kalamazoo Public Schools and Kalamazoo Public Library (KPL) to start a new initiative called the Youth Mobility Fund. The initiative eliminates fares on the public transportation system for KPS students in grades 9 – 12, making it easier for students to access educational, employment, social, and cultural opportunities.

Passes are issued with KPS student IDs, which also serve as Kalamazoo Public Library cards, continuing the “OneCard” program that was started by KPL and KPS in 2018.

How does it work?

To ride for free, the eligible student simply taps their pass on the farebox and shows the picture on their ID to the driver for verification. It’s that simple. The Youth Mobility Fund also provides Metro Connect services to certified riders. ID cards will be valid for one year from the date issued by the schools, including summer break, and are non-transferable. If lost or stolen, only one replacement will be available per student per year at a cost of $5. No personal information is contained in the card’s technology. Metro wants all riders to feel safe and comfortable while using public transportation, so all riders are required to follow its common sense rules of conduct (available at ww.kmetro.com). Please note that all Metro buses are equipped with video recording devices for security.

What other resources are available?

In addition to Google Maps, the myStop mobile app can help students find bus schedules and track bus times. The “Out of School Time” youth program finder at www.kydnet.org can help connect students with personal growth opportunities. For more information, contact Metro at (269) 337-8222 or visit www.kmetro.com. All Metro fixed route buses can carry up to two bikes on their rack. If the racks are full, riders with bikes will need to wait for the next bus.

The Youth Mobility Fund will ensure that transportation is available for youth to explore afterschool programs, education and employment opportunities, and ultimately utilize their Kalamazoo Promise Scholarship. The empowerment that comes with being able to travel throughout the community is invaluable towards a student’s feeling of belonging and inclusion. This collaboration is a direct result of the City’s commitment to providing equitable opportunities for all of its residents.

- Von Washington, Jr., Kalamazoo Promise

Why now?

There is universal agreement among educators and youth development professionals in Kalamazoo that transportation is a major barrier to educational, career, family and cultural development of high school students. The Foundation for Excellence is, for the first time, making it possible to address many transportation costs. Furthermore, transportation has been identified as a significant thread running through the Imagine Kalamazoo Master Plan. Removing barriers and creating new mobility for youth supports the goals of Youth Development, Economic Vitality, Shared Prosperity, Connected City, Inviting Public Places, and Environmental Responsibility.