Beginning next school year, Baltimore City students who depend on public transportation for their daily commutes will have an opportunity to engage directly with transit officials. The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) has announced the creation of a Youth Transit Council, which aims to give students a platform to discuss their transit experiences.
The council will consist of 20 students aged 14 to 18, with applications closing on Friday. Members will convene virtually at least six times throughout the school year to share their insights and concerns regarding public transportation.
According to MTA Media Relations Manager Sherry Christian, approximately 35,000 students in Baltimore City utilize public transportation to get to school, with around 3,000 classified as eligible for public transit services.
Advocates from the Baltimore Student Union, a grassroots organization representing student leaders, are eager to leverage this new council to enhance the safety and reliability of student commutes, particularly during nighttime travel, without increasing police presence. Ethan Eblaghie, a senior at Baltimore Polytechnic Institute, highlighted the lack of yellow bus services for middle and high school students, leaving many young commuters, some as young as 11 or 12, to navigate public transit unsupervised.
Another student, Zoe Hong, expressed her frustration over the recent suspension of Baltimore’s light rail service due to mechanical issues, which has disrupted her daily travel to school. She noted that public buses often arrive late or are overcrowded, complicating her commute.
The Baltimore Student Union is also advocating for universal transportation passes for students, allowing them to use public transit beyond school hours. This initiative is part of a broader campaign against proposed budget cuts impacting the state’s transportation funding.
While council members will not have the authority to implement policies, their role will be to provide feedback and suggestions to the MTA. Eblaghie emphasized the importance of having a direct communication line with transit leaders to address issues affecting students’ daily travel.
The formation of the Youth Transit Council is the culmination of years of advocacy from student organizations, aiming to empower students to actively participate in discussions about their transit experiences.
Reported by HarborBeat based on WYPR (source).
0 Comments
Log in to join the conversation.