New to OneCard: Introducing the Youth Mobility Fund

Starting this Fall, KPS High School Students Can Access More with Their OneCard!

The City of Kalamazoo, through the support of the Foundation for Excellence, is partnering with Central County Metro Transportation Authority, Kalamazoo Public Schools and Kalamazoo Public Library to pilot a new initiative known as the Youth Mobility Fund. The goal of the initiative is eliminating fares on the public transportation system for KPS students in grades 9–12. The new ID cards will also be recognized as valid Kalamazoo Public Library cards, continuing the “OneCard” program that was started through a separate agreement between KPL and KPS in 2018.

The initiative’s partners expect that tangible improvements in access to educational, employment, social, and cultural opportunities for youth will arise out of the initiative. Removing barriers and creating new mobility for youth supports the Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 strategic goals of Youth Development, Economic Vitality, Shared Prosperity, Connected City, Inviting Public Places, and Environmental Responsibility.

The intention of the program is not to supplement or replace KPS school buses but to create new opportunities after school, on weekends and when school is in recess, as well as to aid students in attending school in challenging circumstances.