Bill to make community college students ride transit free draws support and implementation concerns

A bill to require transit agencies that receive transit support grant funds to allow certain community and technical college students to ride for free drew both applause and caution at a Transportation Committee public hearing.

Representative Jamila Taylor, sponsor of House Bill 2550, told the committee she had met with Highline College students who described rising costs and barriers to attending classes. “These are students who are trying to change their lives,” Taylor said, noting the average community college student’s age in testimony as about 29 and urging the committee’s support.

Supporters said free fares would expand access to education and economic mobility. Emily Rocco, a full-time Highline student and mother of three, said the change would ‘‘secure our students the means to get to and from school’’ and help families afford necessities while pursuing degrees.

The Transportation Choices Coalition also testified in favor. Bryce Aden said the measure ‘‘provides an opportunity for people to access education by allowing CTC students to access transit for free’’ but urged that agencies be fully compensated for lost fare revenue and administrative costs so service quality is not harmed.

Transit operators urged changes to how the policy would be implemented. Michael Shaw of the Washington State Transit Association said transit agencies ‘‘shouldn’t have to bear the cost’’ and raised operational concerns including who would determine student eligibility and how agencies with different fare systems would implement the program. He noted existing local models vary widely—some agencies issue a combined student ID-and-pass, others use income-based ORCA Lift cards or already operate fare-free.

A fiscal note and a local government analysis were discussed at the hearing. Committee staff summarized that 31 transit agencies received $188.9 million in transit support grants in the current biennium; a Washington State Transit Association survey cited in testimony estimated a statewide fare-revenue loss for grant recipients of roughly $10 million to $12 million per year if the bill were enacted. WSDOT’s fiscal note on broader program impacts was reported as showing no agency fiscal impact, while the Community and Technical Colleges’ fiscal estimate was not yet available.

Committee members pressed witnesses on practical details. Several members asked whether colleges could be the certifying authority (as universities often issue passes), and transit association witnesses said more clarity was needed in the bill to avoid placing verification burdens on drivers or agencies.

The committee closed the public hearing on HB 2550 after hearing the testimony. The bill’s proponents argued free rides would reduce barriers to higher education; opponents asked the legislature to clarify eligibility, provide compensation for lost fare revenue, and resolve administrative questions before moving to implementation.

The committee did not take a final vote on HB 2550 at the hearing; the bill will proceed through the committee process for further work on fiscal and implementation details.