Cascades East Transit and Bend schools partner for free student bus passes this summer

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) Cascades East Transit and Bend-La Pine Schools are partnering to provide free summer bus passes to all current students. These passes will allow for free rides on fixed routes and community connectors in Bend and some routes in Redmond through Aug. 31.

To activate the free transportation, students must link their ID through the Cascades East Transit app. This program offers students convenient travel options during the summer months.

Kaius Bennett, a 9th-grade student at Caldera High School, previously utilized a similar summer pass. Bennett explained that the pass enabled him to travel beyond his immediate neighborhood. "I wouldn't have been able to go as far," Bennett said. "I only have my bike so I can't go like pass like on the highway or anything. So it's very convenient to make me be able to go farther. I would have just stayed around my neighborhood and stayed at home." Children under 11 years old who use the pass are required to ride with an adult. Funds can be added to a student's account to cover routes not included with the free pass.