Youth Ride Free

A collaboration between the City of Boise and VRT, Youth Ride Free is a summer bus pass that gives kids & teens the freedom and opportunity to explore their city while learning about and experiencing public transportation.

• Free summer bus pass program for kids & teens 18 years of age or younger
• Valid on VRT fixed-route buses
• Available May 1, 2026 – August 31, 2026
• No cost to ride
• Designed to help youth travel safely and independently

There are many reasons to take advantage of the Youth Ride Free bus pass!

• No need to worry about paying for gas, parking, or anything else car-related
• Lots of popular destinations along VRT routes (parks, mall, thrift stores, etc!)
• Get more familiar with riding public transportation
• Enough room for you and all of your friends to ride all together

The Youth Ride Free pass is available for:

• Kids & teens 18 years of age or younger
• Kids & teens who reside in Boise as well as anyone traveling in and out of Boise.
• Bus routes, VRT On-Demand, and VRT Access (for those that qualify)

Travelling by transit is one of the safest forms of transportation available. VRT designs for safety on its services in the following ways 

• All transit vehicles are driven by professional operators who go through extensive and on-going driver training. All drivers also go through maximum risk background screening before they are hired. 
• All bus stops are sited with safety and convenience in mind and reviewed by operations and planning staff to ensure people can get where they are going as safely as possible. 
• All buses have two-way radios where every operator can contact dispatch if there any incident or concern arises in the field Buses also have a covert emergency button they can use that alerts dispatch without alerting anyone on the bus that policy help is being requested. 
• There are street supervisors available during all times of vehicle operations to ensure someone is available to respond to an incident should one occur. 
• Information about all routes, trip times, bus stops etc. is available on-line and in print so individuals can plan out their trips in advance.
• Every vehicle is equipped with mirrors that allow operators to observe the interior of the bus that discourages any misbehavior. 
• Clearly posted “rules of the road” encourages good behavior and facilitates operator and other passengers’ ability to enforce good behavior.
• Internal and external cameras discourage misbehavior and are used when necessary to resolve any incidents and have the ability to see what is happening in real-time on board the bus. 

In addition to these safety features, VRT increases safety on its services through the following actions.

• Passengers that risk their own or others safety are refused service and can be prohibited from entering VRT facilities.
• VRT employs security guards at Main Street Station to ensure the travelling public are safe and comfortable. 
• Issues with bus stop visibility, trip hazards or other concerns are reported and tracked. 
• All incidents on public transit, whether that is a vehicle accident or if a passenger slip, trips or falls as they are boarding, are reported and reviewed.
• In addition to dispatch, VRT customer service agents are available Monday through Friday from 7 AM to 6 PM and Saturday from 8 AM to 5 PM to answer the public’s questions about using public transit services.
• VRT makes real-time information available online allowing riders, parents or guardians or friends to track the progress of all buses.

Yes! you can:

• Download the ETA Spot app or
• Visit our Routes page, select the route they are riding and view the live map of buses.

If there are multiple buses running on the route you are viewing, your kid/teen will just need to let you know the bus number they are riding! This number is on the inside and outside of the bus, making it easy to know which bus you’re on.

Families can help by:

• Reviewing routes, bus stops, schedules, and rider expectations in advance.
• Getting familiar with trip-planning tools.
• Knowing where to locate the VRT Customer Service phone number if more support is needed.

A Park & Ride is a designated lot that allows you to park your vehicle for an extended period of time, for free.

• These lots are located near bus stops, so if you happen to not live near a stop, this is a popular option! 
• These lots are safe, monitored, and well-lit.
• These are a great option for a that teen who wants to drive but also wants to save on gas money!
• Park & Rides are an ideal pick-up & drop-off location for parents dropping off their kid/teens. 

Check out VRT Park & Ride lots here.

Our buses operate:

• 6 days a week (no service on Sunday)
• The hours of operation will depend on the Route that you are riding, the day of the week you are riding, and the time of day that you ride.

Yes! Even if you don’t reside in Boise, you may register.

• A popular option for non-Boise residents is to travel to a Park & Ride lot (ex: Boise Towne Square Mall next to Dillard’s) and take a bus from there.

Each eligible youth must complete their own registration and will get their own Youth Ride Free pass!

Yep – riders should bring their approved fare media or access method each time they ride.