Pocatello Regional Transit offering free bus passes to kids

POCATELLO – As summer arrives, young people looking to travel around Pocatello have an option to do it for free.

Pocatello Regional Transit (PRT) is offering its 2025 Free Summer Youth Pass, which allows all riders 18 years old or younger to ride the city bus system for free. This pass became eligible for children and teenagers to use on May 27 and will remain in effect until Aug. 30.

“They can ride … to locations like the Rec Center, the Ross Park Aquatics Complex. The skate park has a bus stop right here, so it’s a no-brainer if you’ve got kids that want to learn to ride the bus,” said Anne Butler, Parks and Recreation director, in a May 13 town hall promoting summer activities.

PRT, the primary public transportation provider in southeast Idaho, operates a fleet of over 30 buses, offering fixed-route services within Pocatello and Chubbuck, as well as door-to-door and commuter services in the seven counties in its service area. The youth pass applies to the five fixed bus routes offered in the summer.

Teenagers and children who would like to get a youth pass can go six different locations to sign up:

• Pocatello Regional Transit – 5815 South 5th Avenue, Pocatello,
• Life, A Center for Independent Living – 640 Pershing Avenue, Pocatello
• Community Recreation Center – 144 Wilson Avenue, Pocatello
• Ross Park Aquatic Complex – 2901 South 2nd Avenue, Pocatello
• Marshall Public Library – 113 South Garfield Avenue, Pocatello
• Portneuf District Library – 5210 Stuart Avenue, Chubbuck

Laurie Bauer, transportation programs manager for the Southeast Idaho Council of Governments, handles education and outreach for PRT. One of the benefits of kids using the youth bus pass is that it educates them on how to ride the bus, she said.

“When they are adults, (they can say), ‘I already know how to ride the bus. I can do that.’ And if they’re gonna stay in Pocatello or move to another city, they already have that exposure, and it’s something that they’re used to,” Bauer said.

Something Bauer stressed is that PRT buses are a safe way to get around the city, saying, “They have highly skilled and trained bus drivers that are prepared to deal with any situation that may arise.”

“Use your common sense. Travel in groups, be aware of your surroundings,” Bauer said. “Teach your kids those things are going to help them be safe, no matter if they’re riding the bus or walking around town.”

Bauer said the youth bus pass fosters a sense of independence for young people.

“It gives them a sense of independence, because now they don’t have to worry about bothering their parents or asking siblings for rides when they want to go do stuff or want to go see their friends. They can just grab their bus pass and hop on the bus and then they’re good to go,” Bauer said.