Kids on Public Transit: Where Are the Answers?

Picon always enjoys it when Commissioner Alexis Hill poses for her 15-minutes of fame.

Commissioner Alexis Hill, the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County, and School Board Trustee Chair Beth Smith want our kids on the bus—public transit, that is. Through the RTC Student Transit Program, kids aged 7 to 18 enrolled in the Washoe County School District can now ride the city bus system for free.

Sounds generous. But let’s ask the obvious: Where exactly is a 7-year-old going alone on public transit? This isn’t a yellow school bus. It’s the general population riding—meaning our kids will be sitting next to who knows who on the way to who knows where.

Sure, some kids might be heading to a Kids Cafe for a free summer meal. But outside of that, there’s been no clear explanation from RTC or the school district as to how this benefits younger riders—nor any guardrails to ensure their safety. Crime statistics on our bus lines and at bus stops? Silent. Supervision policies? Vague.

This same program ran last summer, and guess what? No data has been released. No metrics. No transparency. No report on whether it was safe, successful, or even utilized by the age groups now being targeted.

And yes, children under 7 are supposed to ride with a fare-paying adult—but how many adults actually do? Who’s enforcing that rule? Oh, right the pass won’t be given to them under seven, but what if a school friend loans them their pass.

So here’s the question for Commissioner Hill, RTC, and the school district:
Can you provide hard data from our pilot program—or even similar programs in other cities—that proves this is safe and effective? Or are parents just supposed to nod along like sheep and pretend it’s perfectly normal for a second grader to be dropped off at a public bus stop?

We’re not against access. We’re for accountability and answers. Before we put kids on a bus, we need to know where they're going, who they’re riding with, and how you’re keeping them safe.