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AC Transit can't afford to offer discounted youth bus passes to high school students over the age of 18

The Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District’s finances are in dire straights. Facing a $21 million deficit, along with employee layoffs, service cuts and the probable closure of facilities, AC Transit doesn’t have a lot of breathing room. On Wednesday, the public transit agency’s board of directors decided the agency can’t finance the estimated $625,000 it would cost to offer discounted youth bus passes for Oakland Unified School District high school students over the age of 18, a benefit that the district requested earlier this month.

“We have a very deep budget deficit forecast and we’re just not in a position, at this point, to agree to additional expenses,” said AC Transit spokesman Clarence Johnson after the board meeting on Wednesday. “The $625,000 is a big chunk of money for us.”

On March 9, the OUSD school board passed a resolution requesting that AC Transit offer low-fare bus passes to all students enrolled in district schools regardless of age. Currently, AC Transit offers $15 per month youth passes to anyone under the age of 18. An adult fare is $2 per ride, which would cost $80 per month for a student who attends school five days a week.

This age limit leaves out approximately 800 OUSD students, according to school district estimates. Those students who cannot afford the higher fare are denied equal access to public education, say advocates of the resolution.

“We understand as well as anyone the financial crisis, given the state’s misfortunes. However, an investment in education is an investment in our future,” says OUSD spokesman Troy Flint. “This will have an impact on one of the most vulnerable populations. It is disheartening.”

The students most at risk of not being able to pay the higher fare, according to OUSD school board members, are students who are in special education, foster care, alternative education settings, or who live in unstable housing situations. Disabled students and refugees to the United States are also considered particularly at risk.