The following is a submission from LA Metro.
Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) announced yesterday its expanded partnership with retailer WSS, which is now sponsoring Metro’s GoPass Program for nearly 17,000 students enrolled in the Lynwood Unified and Inglewood Unified School Districts. Students in the GoPass program benefit from free, unlimited rides on Metro trains and buses as well as 18 additional participating municipal transit operators for the 2025-2026 school year.
“Many students rely on public transit to get to school. Students who have access to public transit are more likely to graduate, and Metro GoPass ensures that students have the access they need to achieve,” said Whittier City Councilmember and Metro Board Chair Fernando Dutra. “This partnership speaks to a shared vision of providing support to the communities and people that need it most.”
Last school year, WSS sponsored GoPass for the approximately 11,000 students at Lynwood Unified. Lynwood students took over 42,000 rides between July 2024 and May 2025.
“We are incredibly grateful to WSS for continuing to support the GoPass program, which plays a vital role in ensuring that transportation is never a barrier to education for our students,” said Patrick Gittisriboongul, Ed.D, superintendent for Lynwood Unified School District. “With free access to public transit, our students have greater opportunities to attend school consistently, participate in enrichment programs and connect with resources across the region.”
The program is available to students at over 1,600 K-12 schools and community colleges in 133 participating school districts, including Los Angeles Unified School District, Long Beach Unified School District, Los Angeles Community College District, Long Beach Community College District and more.
“At WSS, we’ve always believed that every kid deserves the chance to show up, be seen and reach their full potential without transportation getting in the way,” said Blanca Gonzalez, Senior Vice President and General Manager for WSS. “That’s why we’re proud to continue supporting Metro’s GoPass program. Helping nearly 17,000 students in Lynwood and Inglewood get to school, practice, work and wherever their journey takes them isn’t just an initiative, it’s part of who we are. When our youth have the access they need, they thrive. And when they thrive, so do our communities.”
Participating schools distribute TAP cards and activation codes so students can ride transit to school, extracurricular activities or work without the worry of paying fares. Students can activate their cards on the online GoPass portal or by calling 866.TAPTOGO. They also have the option of using a virtual TAP card on the TAP LA App. To find out if a school is participating, students or parents can use the school search tool at Metro.net/GoPass.
“Public transportation is a critical element contributing to student success,” said Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of Metro. “Since 2021, more than half-a-million students have used GoPass to get around. Our team won’t stop working to expand the program until every student that needs a GoPass has one.”
GoPass participants can take unlimited free rides on Metro bus and rail, Antelope Valley Transit Authority, Burbank Bus, City of Commerce Transit, Culver CityBus, Foothill Transit, Glendale Beeline, Glendora Transit, GTrans, LADOT DASH, LA County Shuttles, Lawndale Beat, Long Beach Transit, Lynwood Trolley, Montebello Bus, Norwalk Transit, Pasadena Transit, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus and Torrance Transit.
For more information on the Metro GoPass program visit: Metro.net/GoPass.
