Part of the City of St. John’s’ plan to foster a culture in transit is to develop a student pass program.

Students in Grade 12 and under make up about five per cent of Metrobus’ riders. The city would like to see that number rise—as would Happy City.

The proposed plan for the city was to extend free bus rides from riders age five-and-under to age 12-and-under. Happy City St. John’s also supports their goal of free rides for Grade 12 students, and younger.

Happy City St. John’s is a non-profit organization that facilitates public dialogue around civic issues in the capital city.

Board chair Jennifer Crowe says having younger people riding the bus would be good not only for their independence, but the environment and overall flow in St. John’s public transit.

Crowe says it would allow them to be able to go to events and activities that they enjoy doing without asking their parents for a ride everywhere.

She says there is evidence in the value of taking the risk of investing in young people, allowing them to get around more independently.