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SolTrans highlights Youth Ride Free pilot, staff hires and outreach plans
Summary
Staff reported that the Youth Ride Free pilot (ages 18 and under) continues to grow, that outreach and community events will support the August 2026 redesign, and that several staff hires and a retirement change the agency’s general services capacity.
SolTrans staff used the update portion of the agenda to highlight an expanding Youth Ride Free pilot, event‑based outreach and a set of staffing changes.
Mandy told the PAC that the board‑approved Youth Ride Free pilot—funded for two years—continues to exceed expectations and that monthly ridership has continued to climb. “Please continue to share that youth 18 and under can ride the whole system for free, even on express service,” she said.
Staff described community engagement events (Second Friday tabling, Treat Yourself events providing services to people at risk of homelessness) and said the agency plans to begin intensified outreach and stakeholder meetings in March to educate riders about the August service changes. Mandy also recognized operator Charles for assisting a passenger in a mental health crisis and highlighted employee awards and new hires: Paul Weinstein (IT and DevOps), Declan Knowles (general service analyst) and the retirement of Pat Carr, the longtime general service manager.
Why it matters: The youth fare pilot may change travel habits for a new generation of riders; outreach and staff capacity will influence how smoothly the larger service redesign is communicated and implemented.
Staff said the general services department is nearly complete with a stop inventory and will start ordering stop infrastructure in the coming weeks. Mandy asked PAC members for help identifying community events and partner organizations for outreach.
