Rapid City SD- Somewhere between the school-supply list and the “is this backpack cool enough” negotiations, there’s one back-to-school line item Rapid City families can actually cross off for free: the bus ride.
Rapid Transit System (RTS) is opening up free orientation rides Monday, Aug. 17 through Friday, Aug. 28, letting parents ride along with their school-aged kid to learn the routes before sending them off on their own.
It’s the 11th year the “Youth Ride Free” program has run, giving Rapid City’s school-aged youth free bus rides to school, the library, and other stops around town at no cost to families.
“For the past several years, we have offered parent orientation rides as a great opportunity for the parent and child to ride together and learn our transit schedules, routes, and boarding locations,” said RTS Manager Megan Gould.
“The ‘Youth Ride Free’ service provides parents with peace of mind knowing there is a reliable and safe option for getting their child to school. It’s also a great option when that school car isn’t working or we have cold, inclement weather with icy roads.”
How to register
Registration information requested includes the student’s name, school, parent or guardian’s name, and a phone number for emergency contact purposes. Parents and guardians can register:
- By phone: 605-394-6631, ext. 0
- Online at rapidtransitsystem.org, under the “Youth Ride Free” tab
- By mail, using the printed registration form, sent to:
Rapid Transit System, ATTN: YRFP, 333 6th Street, Rapid City, SD 57701
What families should know
Registration is required for the free transportation program, whether public transit is used occasionally or on a regular basis. A few other details worth knowing:
- RapidRide is not a school bus service — RTS recommends youth ride with a mature adult or older child if they can’t navigate the system safely on their own.
- RTS is not issuing physical passes to youth riders. High school–age riders should be prepared to show a photo ID — a state ID, tribal ID, school ID, or even a phone photo of one — to confirm eligibility.
- A mature rider must accompany any child age five or younger.
- Terra Sancta and Corral Drive school tripper routes are not currently accommodated.
- Infants, toddlers, and preschool-age youth do not need to register.
Questions can be directed to RTS at 605-394-6631, ext. 0, or rt*@***ov.org.
One less thing on the back-to-school list this year.
Sourced from a Rapid City Municipal Government press release shared via the Rapid Transit System Facebook page, and RTS’s “Youth Ride Free” registration page at rapidtransitsystem.org.
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