TARTA's Youth Summer Blast Pass Is Back

TARTA's Youth Summer Blast Pass provided free transportation to 3,100 passholders last year, and is back again to put area youth in touch with everything that makes summer great in northwest Ohio.

Now in its fourth year, the Youth Summer Blast Pass program has grown by more than 50 percent since 2023. Youth ages 6-19 can ride free of charge on all TARTA services (fixed route, TARTA Move, TARTA Flex) from Monday, May 25 through Monday, August 31.

Applications for digital passes are available April 27 at tarta.com/blast, and youth can also pick up a physical pass from TARTA representatives at public events, TARTA’s Transit Hub at 612 N. Huron Street, or at any Toledo Lucas County Public Library location starting in mid-May.

“Many of our customers and many of our youth face financial barriers and transportation barriers when trying to connect the community around them, and this program is a great way to address both issues,” said Kwinlyn Tyler, TARTA’s Community Affairs Manager. “I’ve personally witnessed what an amazing impact that just a little help provides to youth and families in this area. We heard stories every week of last summer from young people who were able to get to family events, practices, jobs and other destinations when they may not have been able to otherwise. 

“The growth that this program has seen has been so encouraging, but we know there are more people to reach and introduce to transit. Affordable transportation can raise someone’s quality of life. Making this small gesture can introduce a young person to the benefits of our mobility system, and hopefully make them a regular passenger.”