Detroit students to be able to ride city buses for free starting Wednesday

April 1, 2026

Detroit's city council has approved the Ride and Rise program, which launches Wednesday and allows all Detroit students to ride city buses free by showing their ID. The initiative aims to combat chronic absenteeism while providing students better access to jobs, activities, and services. Detroit Public Schools Community District currently pays for high school bus passes and will redirect those savings toward after-school programming during this pilot phase.

Who is affected

Students attending Detroit Public Schools Community District schools
Students attending charter schools in Detroit
Students attending suburban schools who live in Detroit
Families in Detroit (particularly the one-third without cars and 30% lacking reliable school transportation)
Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT)
Detroit Public Schools Community District (which currently pays for high school bus passes)

What action is being taken

The city is launching the Ride and Rise free bus program on Wednesday
DDOT is seeking feedback about bus routes, schedules, bus stop changes, and amenities
DPSCD is working on plans to reinvest the money previously spent on bus passes into strategies for improving student attendance and enrollment
The city has reached an agreement in principle with DPSCD to redirect current bus fare spending toward after-school programs

Why it matters

Transportation is one of the most critical issues affecting student attendance in Detroit, where chronic absenteeism rates are high. With approximately one-third of Detroit families lacking car ownership and 30% without reliable daily transportation to school, access to free public transit could significantly reduce barriers to education. The program also addresses a challenge that individual schools cannot solve on their own and may expand students' access to employment opportunities, extracurricular activities, and supportive services beyond just getting to school.

What's next

DDOT will present feedback collected during the pilot to the council
The city may submit an ordinance amendment to change the fare system and create a longer-term program in September or October when students return to school
DPSCD will implement plans to reinvest savings into attendance improvement strategies and after-school programs

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com