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Students and families urge board not to cut Ride‑Free RT transit program
Summary
Students, parents and community organizers told the board that the Ride‑Free RT program is essential for attendance, equity and access; speakers argued cutting the program would harm low‑income students and reduce district funding tied to attendance.
Dozens of students, parents and community organizers urged trustees to preserve the district’s Ride‑Free RT transit program during public comment. Student speakers from Sacramento ACT described the program as essential for getting to school, attending after‑school activities and maintaining attendance; one student said losing the program would force some to stop attending classes or be frequently tardy.
Parents and community partners highlighted attendance and equity benefits: transportation reduces chronic absenteeism and ensures students from low‑income families can reliably travel to school, sports and jobs. Several speakers cited program growth in recent years (public testimony referenced 600,000 rides in 2021 and an expectation of several million rides by 2026) and argued that cutting the program would disproportionately impact Title I schools and families without vehicles.
Organizers asked the board to seek sustainable funding partnerships with city, county and regional agencies and to consider alternative revenue sources rather than eliminating the program.
Why it matters: District attendance is directly tied to state funding, and reliable transportation is a recognized barrier to consistent attendance for many students. Several trustees and speakers noted the program’s success at increasing student access and urged a cooperative funding approach.
What’s next: Speakers proposed the board pursue multi‑partner funding strategies and resist cutting the program as part of short‑term deficit measures.
