RAPID CITY, SD (KOTA) – As parents and students rush to complete the back-to-school to-do list, reliable transportation to and from school is at the top of the list.
This is the ninth year in a row that the Rapid Transit System has offered the Youth Ride Free program, but this year there is also a Parent Ride Free Week from August 12-23 so parents can learn more about the popular program.
Darrell Shoemaker, Rapid City’s communications coordinator, says the rising numbers reflect the success of the program.
The Youth Ride Free program averaged more than 5,000 youth per month participating in the program last school year, and 47,000 youth rides were recorded for the entire year—a four-year high.
Shoemaker says he looks forward to introducing the program and its routes to parents in the coming weeks.
“If parents want to learn more about our system, they can take their child and have them board our bus during those two weeks. They can look at maps, check the routing and work with their child to make sure they can get on the express bus here. That way they can get to school, just at the back of the fourth grade,” Shoemaker said.
Shoemaker says the Youth Ride Free program provides more than just a reliable ride to and from school; it also provides students with rides to the library, mall and other recreational activities year-round.
Registration is required for the free transportation program. Parents can contact Rapid Transit Service at 605-394-6631 or click here to register.
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