Youth Advisory Committee

Toledo Area Regional Transit Authority

Youth Advisory Committee

Your Voice. Your Community. Your Transit.

Young people deserve a voice in shaping the transportation services they rely on every day. The TARTA Youth Advisory Committee (YAC) will create opportunities for young people across TARTA’s service area to share their experiences, offer ideas, and help shape the future of public transportation in our region.

From getting to school and work to accessing healthcare, extracurricular activities, and time with friends, reliable transportation connects young people to opportunity. By listening to youth and including their perspectives in decision-making, TARTA can build better services for today’s riders and the next generation of transit users.

The Youth Advisory Committee will also give members opportunities to develop leadership skills, engage in civic life, connect with transportation professionals, and learn how public transit helps communities thrive. Building on the work of TARTA’s Community Advisory Committee, the YAC will ensure that youth perspectives are part of the conversation about the future of transit.

What Is the Youth Advisory Committee?

The Youth Advisory Committee is a group of young volunteers who will represent diverse neighborhoods, schools, and communities throughout TARTA’s service area. Members will share their experiences as riders, identify transportation challenges, and provide recommendations to help TARTA improve its services, programs, and communications.

Teens on TARTA Bus talking

Committee members will help TARTA better understand the transportation needs of young people, including:

  • Education and Employment: Connecting youth to schools, colleges, job opportunities, and workforce training.
  • Safety and Accessibility: Improving access to bus stops, transfer points, and transit services.
  • Affordable Transportation: Strengthening youth fare programs and access to transit passes.
  • Communication and Technology: Making transit information, trip-planning tools, and outreach more accessible to younger audiences.
  • Community Connections: Supporting connections between public transportation, walking, biking, and other travel options.
  • Equity and Opportunity: Identifying barriers to transportation and improving access for underserved communities.

Youth Advisory Committee members will have an active role in helping shape the future of transit. Responsibilities may include:

  • Identifying transportation challenges and opportunities affecting young people.
  • Gathering feedback from students and other youth in their communities.
  • Recommending improvements to TARTA services, programs, and communications.
  • Sharing committee priorities, progress, and accomplishments with TARTA leadership and the Board of Trustees.
  • Participating in community events and public engagement activities.
  • Contributing ideas for future youth-focused transportation programs and initiatives.

Make an Impact

Help shape transit services and programs that affect young people across the region.

Build Leadership Skills

Develop confidence, teamwork, communication, and public speaking skills through hands-on experience.

Explore Career Opportunities

Learn about public service, transportation, community engagement, and other career paths.

Represent Your Community

Bring your perspective and experiences to conversations that help make transit more responsive to the needs of young people.

Help Build a Better Future

Contribute to a transportation system that connects more people to education, employment, and opportunity.

TARTA is seeking young people who are interested in making a difference in their communities and helping improve public transportation.

Applicants should:

  • Be between 13 and 18 years old.
  • Live in Lucas County, Rossford, or another TARTA service area community, or attend school within the service area.
  • Have experience using TARTA fixed-route, TARTA Move, TARTA Flex, or special event transportation services.
  • Be interested in leadership, civic engagement, community involvement, or transportation.
  • Be able to attend regular committee meetings.
  • Commit to a one-year term, with the opportunity to renew.

No previous work experience or specific academic standing is required. TARTA welcomes applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives.

Help Shape the Future of Transit

TARTA believes that young people should have a seat at the table when decisions are made about their communities and their futures. The Youth Advisory Committee will help turn youth perspectives into meaningful ideas and opportunities for change.

Interested in getting involved? Youth ages 13-18, who reside or attend school within TARTA's service area are encouraged to apply below. 

 

Can you commit to in-person meetings? *
Do you require accommodation in order to participate in meetings? *
Ethnicity *
Gender *
Do you identify as having a disability? *
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Today's Date

Application details and committee meeting information will be provided by TARTA.

TARTA has gone paperless. However, if you prefer a paper application, you email a request for a form to customer-relations@tarta.com.

Meetings

Meetings will be held bi-monthly unless otherwise noted. These meetings are open to the public but only committee members will have the opportunity to speak or vote.

Upcoming Meetings

Dates and location coming soon. 

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