London Launches Free Bus Pass Trial for High School Students

Hundreds of Grade 9 students entering Clarke Road Secondary School this September are set to participate in a pilot project aimed at distributing free bus passes from London Transit. The initiative, which seeks to assess the impact of free transit on high school students, has garnered both support and skepticism from local officials.

During a meeting of the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee (SPPC), several councillors raised concerns about the reliability of data derived from a single school. Coun. Corrine Rahman expressed her reservations, stating, “If we wanted to see what the outcome of a [free high school bus pass] program was, we’d make it for the entire city.” She suggested that high schools attracting students from across London would yield more comprehensive insights for future decisions regarding the program’s potential expansion.

According to the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB), approximately 250 students are expected to enter Grade 9 at Clarke Road Secondary School this September, with another 250 anticipated in September 2027. If parental consent is granted, each student will receive a free bus pass valid for the 10-month school year. The total cost for the pilot project could reach $1.03 million if all eligible students participate and exceed the threshold for the unlimited monthly transit pass.

A lack of additional funding beyond August 2028 has led some councillors to question the sustainability of the program. “I hate to be a negative Nelly, but I would much rather see us do a few things really, really well,” remarked Coun. Susan Stevenson. She emphasized the importance of successful implementation rather than launching multiple projects that may not meet their objectives.

The primary aim of the pilot is to evaluate how free transit access affects student attendance, academic performance, involvement in extracurricular activities, and overall use of public transportation. Despite the mixed reactions, the committee ultimately endorsed the project, with a final decision pending from the council on February 10, 2024.

Following the meeting, London Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis spoke with CTV News about the potential implications of the data collected. He noted that the findings could inform future adjustments to pricing for secondary student passes or subsidy programs. “It will give us a better baseline on student [ridership],” Lewis stated, highlighting the importance of understanding whether high school students would utilize free bus passes effectively.

Lewis further argued that high school students deserve equitable support, particularly as the city already provides significant subsidies to adult students at local universities. “We are already heavily subsidizing Western [University] and Fanshawe [College] students who are adults, who are here for less of the year than our secondary students who live here all year round,” he pointed out.

As the pilot project prepares to launch, its outcomes may shape the future of public transit access for students in London, offering insights on the broader implications of such initiatives on education and community engagement.