PHOENIX – The Phoenix Public Transit Department distributes free travel tickets to people in need and is proving to be of great help to underserved communities.
Funding for the program amounts to a total of US $ 1 million from the US rescue plan.
Phoenix City Council approved 30 local organizations to distribute the passports to the people who need them most.
“These are organizations that the City Council has worked with in the past. We also researched which organizations are already working with the communities in need, ”said Brenda Yanez, spokeswoman for Phoenix Public Transit.
Rodney Smith received his free transit pass through the Black Owned Business Alliance Church. He’s a veteran and says it’s a huge help.
“I can go to my doctor’s appointments if necessary. If I have an interview, an interview or whatever, I can use the bus pass, ”said Smith.
Signing up is easy, said Yanez. Just go to this page here. Yanez says there are still many passes available.
“Click on the survey and let us know what you are using it for,” said Yanez.
Survey results so far show that people use the passports primarily for grocery shopping, doctor appointments, and work, according to Yanez.
ABC15 caught up with Jennifer at the bus stop, who hadn’t heard of the free pass program, but said she really could use it to get to work.
“I have to ride three different buses and the train just to get here,” she said
Yanez says the passes are good for both buses and light rail, but not for the “Rapid” bus service.
“We are offering them to these organizations until the money is gone, until the program ends,” she said.
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