FREE public transit for kids and teens in Summer 2023

FREE public transit for kids and teens transforms the North Bay into a summer playground.

SMART, Marin Transit, Sonoma County Transit, Santa Rosa CityBus, and Petaluma Transit are offering free rides for K-12 youth throughout the summer (June-August) with the Summer Youth Ride Free Program.

How it works

No passes are necessary to ride, simply show a valid K-12 school or government-issued ID to the conductor when boarding the train or bus. Youth grades 9-12 may use a school ID from the Spring 2023 semester. Youth grades 8 and under, if asked, may present a school ID, or simply tell the conductor their grade and which school they attend. Younger children, under age 5, also ride for free but must be accompanied by an adult.

Benefits of taking public transportation

Beyond the benefit of getting to experience world-class educational and entertainment opportunities, taking public transportation is in itself a learning experience and good for the environment. Teaching teenagers how to ride public transit fosters a greater sense of independence at this critical stage of their development. Children riding with parents and older siblings learn social and navigational skills that will help them in many other situations. Navigating our community on the train and bus builds a sense of confidence that young people can use for the rest of their lives.

A summer of adventure and fun

Children and teens can take public transit to their favorite summer destinations, including parks, amusement centers, summer jobs, movie theaters, shopping centers, skate parks, libraries, summer camps, and summer classes. Bicycles are welcomed aboard the SMART train and buses are equipped with bike racks at the front of the bus.

Plan your trip (click the links below)

• SMART School field trips and other organized groups planning on traveling between June 1 – August 31, please contact SMART Customer Service at 707-794-33330 (TTY 711) regarding intended travel dates and times. 
• Sonoma County Transit
• Santa Rosa CityBus
• Petaluma Transit
• Marin Transit

Santa Rosa North + Downtown Stations	Petaluma Downtown Station	Novato Station	Larkspur Station	San Rafael Station
Children's Museum of Sonoma County  Snoopy's Home Ice Coddingtown Mall Chop's Teen Club  6th Street Playhouse Santa Rosa Plaza	Riverfront walk or bike ride Petaluma Regional Library Petaluma Historical Library and Museum Petaluma Swim Center	Rush Creek Trailhead Mount Burdell Olompali State Historic Park  Miwok Park Pioneer Park  Novato History Museum  Marin Museum of Contemporary Art  Hamilton Airfield	Marin County Civic Center  Thursday Farmers Market Marin Center ​Showcase Theatre  San Rafael Mission Mount Tamalpais State Park Point Reyes National Seashore	Larkspur Landing Marin Country Mart  Muir Woods Ferry Terminal  San Francisco