CTtransit plays a key role in fare-free transit for students—bridging access, opportunity, and equity across Connecticut. Photo: Shutterstock.
When I was a teenager at Hill Regional Career High School in New Haven, Connecticut, my dreams didn’t come with a steering wheel. I didn’t have a car. But I had something else: city buses and the ability to afford the fare.
City buses didn’t just carry me to school – they carried me to opportunity. The bus got me across town to internships, after-school programs, and community meetings. It helped me stay connected, explore what I cared about, and begin shaping a future I could believe in.
Looking back, I realize how lucky I was. Because that fare – a few dollars a day – is a wall that many students still can’t climb. And that’s why I’m speaking out now.
As a program coordinator at Conservation Law Foundation, I’m fighting for Senate Bill 1243 – a simple, powerful law that would make buses fare-free for every high school student in Connecticut. Because access shouldn’t depend on whether you can afford the ride.
The Real Cost of Missing the Bus
Let’s be clear: In much of Connecticut, owning a car isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. But it’s one that costs more than $11,000 a year. That’s out of reach for many families, especially in urban areas where public transit is supposed to be the affordable option.
Still, the price of a bus ticket can be just as limiting. A few dollars each day adds up fast – and for some students, that cost forces hard choices. Should I save that money for groceries? Should I skip this job interview or miss an SAT prep class? Should I pass on the after-school program that could help me shine?
These are choices no teenager should have to make. Yet thousands face them every day.
What Senate Bill 1243 Would Do
Senate Bill 1243 would create a statewide program providing fare-free public bus service to high school students – not just during school hours, but evenings and weekends, too. That means more than just a free ride.
It means access to internships, part-time jobs, SAT prep, health clinics, and mentorship programs. It means young people can show up for themselves – no matter what zip code they live in.
The program would be run by the Connecticut Department of Transportation in partnership with local school districts. It’s not a pipe dream. It’s a proven model that’s worked in other states. In Minneapolis, providing students with free bus passes reduced absences and resulted in 3.5 million additional rides over a one-year period.
And it’s one that our Legislature can make real – if they choose to fund it.
Fare-Free Transit Isn’t New – And It Works
We don’t have to imagine what fare-free transit could look like. We’ve seen it. During the pandemic, Connecticut made all CTtransit buses free. Ridership went up. Students, workers, and families used the buses to get where they needed to go – without worrying about how to pay for it.
When fares came back, ridership dropped. The message was simple: Cost is a barrier. And when we remove that barrier, people ride. Even reduced fares can make a huge difference.
And students are no exception. A fare can mean the difference between attending a SAT prep class and skipping it. Between getting to a job interview or staying home. Between joining the robotics team – or missing out entirely.
Why Fare-Free Rides Matter
Investing in student transit access is investing in the next generation of leaders, workers, artists, and neighbors. Reliable, affordable transportation gives students access to:
- After-school programs that build leadership skills and confidence
- Internships and job training that lay the foundation for career success
- Cultural events and community spaces that shape identity and connection
- Health care and support services that keep them safe and well
Public buses are already a lifeline for many students. SB 1243 ensures that lifeline isn’t cut short because someone couldn’t afford a ticket.
While this bill focuses specifically on high school students and veterans, it points us toward a broader vision: a future where public transportation in Connecticut is fully accessible and equitably funded. A future where getting to school, work, or a community center doesn’t depend on how much money you have or whether your family owns a car.
That vision starts now – with our youth.
Let’s Make This Ride Happen
When I was riding that New Haven bus years ago, I didn’t imagine that today I would be in environmental advocacy, working toward helping other young people find their path.
Today, students across Connecticut are standing at the same bus stop I once did – hoping for a way forward. Let’s not make them wait.
Contact your elected officials. Urge them to support Senate Bill 1243. Let them know that the price of a better future should never be a bus fare. This isn’t just about transit – it’s about investing in dreams and the future of our state.
