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 citie...
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