A group of Regina high school students got together “in song” to demand better access to public transit.

On Dec. 3, the Better Bus Youth (BBY) held an event called “Tunes for Transit.” The event was focused on making transit more accessible for youth 18 and under.

The BBY is a group founded by Sophia Young, a student from Miller Comprehensive High School. There are multiple groups like hers in high schools across Regina.

Young started the group because of her personal struggles with the transit system. Her parents were unable to drive her to every school event and activity.

“If there was fare-free transit at that time, I would have been able to do so many more things and be more involved in the community,” said Young.

The event was held at the Glencairn Neighbourhood Recreation Centre. The young community leaders spent four months organizing the event.

Musicians, speakers and activists spoke about how fare-free transit is an affordability, sustainability and truth and reconciliation initiative.

“It’s an initiative that creates empowerment and independence,” said Young.

She spoke about how transportation relates to many aspects in society, like equity and removing class barriers. She said it also creates a safer and healthier community by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by single occupancy vehicles.

Emily Eaton, a professor of geography and environmental studies at the University of Regina, was in attendance. She believes in building a new generation of bus users.

“Regina has committed to becoming very close to net zero by 2050,” said Eaton.

“The path of getting to zero includes increased use of public transit and fewer cars. I see getting more youth and people of all ages on the bus as part of our commitment to our climate goals.”

She said the gap between 13– and 18-year-old should be assisted by the city.

“There’s this big gap where people are without coverage in terms of cheaper or free access to transit,” said Eaton.

“The number of rides that that makes up is not huge for the city.”

The City of Regina did implement free transit for youth 13 and under in August. There are thousands of youth in Regina who cannot access school, work and the community because they cannot afford the $2.75 bus fare, according to the BBY.

The BBY want the city to incorporate fare-free transit into its 2023/2024 budget.

From Dec. 14-16, Regina City Council will review its budget, in which they will discuss the implementation of fare-free transit for youth.

Mayor Sandra Masters was not made available for comment.

Young created a petition called Fare Free Youth Transit, which can be signed here: Petition · Fare Free Youth Transit Petition · Change.org

Feature photo: Better Bus Youth at Tunes for Transit event. (Photo submitted by Sophia Young)