Kids & Teens Ride Free on Spokane Transit

By Carly Cortright STA Chief Communications and Customer Service Officer

Riding the bus isn’t just a free ride—it’s a step toward independence.

As kids and teens get older, building independence is crucial. Public transit helps them learn to navigate the city on their own, giving them confidence and freedom while ensuring they can get to where they need to be safely and reliably.

All kids and teens 18 and under can ride for free on any STA route. This is a great opportunity for them to explore Spokane, get to school, meet up with friends, and experience the freedom of public transit—all without needing to pay.

We’ve heard from kids and teens that they love the independence that riding the bus gives them, whether it’s getting to school, a part-time job, or just hanging out with friends. Parents have also shared how they appreciate this growing autonomy while knowing that their child’s location can be tracked with a registered Connect card!

Using a Rider’s License Connect card also offers other benefits. Youth can link their Connect card with STA’s Connect app on a smartphone, allowing them to check their ride history online.

This experience not only teaches them about fare validation but also prepares them to use public transit systems around the world.

There are even more benefits to riding the bus. It helps reduce congestion and carbon emissions, and kids and teens can relax instead of worrying about traffic or parking. They can chat with friends, watch videos, or listen to music (with headphones, of course!).

For more information on how to ride, plan a trip, and bus rules, visit spokanetransit.com/youth

There are 3 ways for youth to access free bus fare:

1 Get a Rider’s License Connect Card

Kids and teens can apply for a free Rider’s License Connect card at any library location (Spokane Public Library, Liberty Lake, or SCLD), through spokanetransit.com/youth, or by visiting Customer Service at STA Plaza.

2 Use Your Student ID

If your teen is a Spokane Public Schools (SPS) high school student, they can use their SPS student ID, which doubles as a Connect card, to board the bus. Other students can simply show their school ID to the driver.

3 Simply Tell the Driver

If a youth doesn’t have a Rider’s License Connect card or a student ID, they can simply let the driver know their age when boarding the bus. They won’t be turned away!