Label
Youth Blast Pass Academic-Year Pilot $40,000
Office of Community Services
Tiffany Whitman (x2375)
Revised
Title
Authorizing the Mayor to enter into an agreement with the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) to pilot an academic-year expansion of the Youth Summer Blast Pass program; authorizing the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $40,000 for youth transit passes from the General Fund; and declaring an emergency.
Body
SUMMARY & BACKGROUND:
This Ordinance authorizes a City investment of $40,000 to partner with the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) to pilot an academic-year expansion of its successful Youth Summer Blast Pass program. The proposed pilot is intended to support up to 3,576 youth passes for young people residing within the City of Toledo from January 2027-May 2027, subject to the terms of the agreement and available funding. This initiative aligns with the City of Toledo Strategic Plan’s Youth and Family Success goal by advancing coordinated investments that support economic mobility and safety for Toledo youth.
TARTA reports that its 2026 Youth Summer Blast Pass program issued 3,576 passes, an increase of 407 over 2025, and recorded 40,068 trips between May 25 and August 31, 2026. Building on these results, the pilot would help reduce transportation barriers to education, employment, recreation, youth development, and community-based services throughout the academic year.
During multiple youth town halls convened by City staff, young people repeatedly identified transportation as a barrier to workforce, safety, relationship-building, and educational opportunities. With transportation and other household costs rising, reliable transit access is an important component of the City’s strategic investment in youth opportunity and neighborhood connectivity. TARTA’s enhanced data capabilities will support evaluation of participation and ridership. Similar youth transit initiatives have been implemented in other cities, including Detroit, Madison, Columbus, Spokane and Los Angeles.
Summary
NOW THEREFORE Be it ordained by the Council of the City of Toledo:
SECTION 1. That the Mayor is authorized to enter into an agreement with the Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority (TARTA) for a pilot expansion of the Youth Summer Blast Pass program during the academic year, upon terms and conditions acceptable to the Director of the Office of Community Services and the Director of Law.
SECTION 2. That the expenditure of an amount not to exceed $40,000 is authorized from the General Fund Account Code 1001-40200-1115001STDADM for the academic-year youth transit pilot identified in Section 1.
SECTION 3. That the Finance Director is authorized to draw their warrant or warrants against the above Account Code in an amount not to exceed $40,000 in payment of the obligations authorized above upon presentation of the proper voucher or vouchers.
SECTION 4. That this Ordinance is declared to be an emergency measure and shall be in force and effect from and after its passage. The reason for the emergency lies in the fact that it is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, safety, and property and for the further reason that this Ordinance must be immediately effective to facilitate timely implementation of youth transportation services during the academic year.
Vote on emergency clause: yeas _____, nays _____.
Passed: _________________, as an emergency measure: yeas _____, nays _____.
Attest: ________________________ __________________________________
Clerk of Council President of Council
Approved: _____________________ __________________________________
Mayor
I hereby certify that the above is a true and correct copy of an Ordinance passed by Council ________________________.
Attest: ________________________
Clerk of Council