Learning to use public transit can make a student feel more independent. The first time you figure out a bus route or subway transfer alone, the city becomes less intimidating.

Public transit matters for students who cannot drive, cannot afford rideshares, or do not want to depend on parents for every activity. It connects people to school, jobs, libraries, sports, and friends.

But transit quality is unequal. Some neighborhoods have frequent trains and safe stations. Others have long waits, poor lighting, or routes that make a short trip take an hour. Independence should not depend so much on where a student lives.

Cities should make transit safer, cheaper, and more reliable for young people. Schools can teach students how to read routes and travel responsibly.

A bus pass is more than transportation. For many students, it is a small ticket into confidence, opportunity, and a wider world.