TARTA’s drive to connect northwest Ohioans to the things that make this a great area to live in takes an extra step each summer with the Youth Summer Blast Pass.
Now in its fourth year, the Blast Pass program in 2025 provided more than 3,100 pass holders with no cost transportation on all TARTA services from late May through August, a 39% increase in pass holders from 2024. Since its inception, the program has seen growth of more than 56 percent in ridership.
The 2026 Blast Pass program kicked off May 25. Youth ages 6-19 can ride free on TARTA’s fixed line routes, TARTA Move and TARTA Flex through Monday, August 31.
“I think the increase in interest in the Blast Pass demonstrates a need for transportation,” said TARTA Community Affairs Coordinator Kwinlyn Tyler. “As the price of cars and gas continues to increase, families are looking for ways to save money, and this has been a great way for TARTA and the community partners that have worked with us to lift a little bit of that burden.”
Applications for digital passes are available at tarta.com/blast, and youth can also pick up a physical pass from TARTA representatives at public events, TARTA’s Transit Hub at 612 N. Huron Street, or at any Toledo Lucas County Public Library location.
“One of the things that’s been amazing for us to see is the variety of things the passes are used for,” Tyler explained. “We hear every time we’re at a public event from parents whose youth have a way to get to their first job or from students who use it to connect to camps or social events and so many other things. These are trips and opportunities that these young riders and their families may have not been able to take advantage of if this cost barrier hadn’t been removed.”
TARTA is grateful for the community partners who have helped make this program possible since its inception, including: Greater Toledo Community Foundation John Henry Eldred Jr. Foundation City of Toledo Parks and Rec Department Lucas County City of Toledo Toledo Lucas County Public Library
