An email sent out Oct. 4 to frequent student Metrolink riders detailed that all students would have access to a new and free student pass. This new offer went into effect Oct. 9 and will extend until March 2024.

The Student Adventure Pass through Metrolink offers students free access to the entire Metrolink system. All students have to do is make an account through the Metrolink app with their school email and then verify their email. Within 24 hours of creating the account, the pass will appear in the user’s app.

Darren Kettle, the CEO of the Metrolink system, explained in an Oct. 5 press release how this rider pass will make a difference for students who use the train system and who may begin utilizing it now due to the new pass.

“As a parent with three kids currently attending college, I know firsthand that getting an education isn’t cheap, so this Student Adventure Pass is a game changer for many families across Southern California,” Kettle said in the press release. “The great thing about this program is that students of any age and level qualify for it, as long as they have valid student identification.”

When a student uses the train, they have to activate the pass and then show their student ID to validate the pass when scanned. The pass can be used as frequently as the student would like since it is unlimited. It can be used on both weekends and weekdays.

The pass was made possible by a grant from the Low Carbon Transit Organization Program. 

Out of the total percentage of Metrolink users, according to the Metrolink press release, 17% are students. The goal of this program is to help raise that percentage of student passengers. 

Junior film production major Ali Nuño often uses the Metrolink to go home to visit her family. When she found out about the pass, she was very excited to no longer pay for the cost of having to travel back and forth. 

“I think that this is super beneficial to students because many are doing their best to save money, and this student pass will really help,” Nuño said. “I hope that other students that use the Metrolink often know about this because it makes traveling so much easier.”

With the help of the pass, students are now able to travel throughout the Metrolink system for free. The Metrolink trains stretch across six counties of Southern California, including Los Angeles, San Bernardino, San Diego and more. A map of the system can be found on the Metrolink website. 

Kaylee Scott, a junior psychology major, has thought about taking the Metrolink to go to major cities in Southern California and is now taking the benefits of the pass into account.

“Now that Metrolink is offering students rides for free, I have considered taking the train to either Los Angeles or San Diego,” Scott said. “This would be more convenient since I won’t have to worry about parking or driving there.”

On the Metrolink website, a How to Ride section is available which offers detailed information on using the Metrolink for people who may not have experience using a train system.