L.A. Metro extends its collaboration with WSS to offer complimentary, unrestricted transit rides to 17,000 students.
In a significant move to support students and communities, retailer WSS has expanded its sponsorship of the Los Angeles Metro's GoPass Program. The initiative, aimed at providing free, unlimited public transportation to students who need it most, has grown to include 133 participating school districts and 19 transit operators for the 2025-26 school year [1].
Stephanie Wiggins, CEO of L.A. Metro, emphasises the importance of public transportation in student success. She stated, "Public transportation is a critical element contributing to student success."
The expanded sponsorship will allow nearly 17,000 students in Lynwood Unified and Inglewood Unified School Districts to enjoy free, unlimited rides on Metro trains and buses, as well as on 18 additional municipal transit operators. These operators include Metro bus and rail, Antelope Valley Transit Authority, Burbank Bus, City of Commerce Transit, Culver CityBus, Foothill Transit, Glendale Beeline, Glendora Transit, GTrans, LADOT DASH, LA County Shuttles, Lawndale Beat, Long Beach Transit, Lynwood Trolley, Montebello Bus, Norwalk Transit, Pasadena Transit, Santa Monica Big Blue Bus, and Torrance Transit [1].
The GoPass Program benefits students at more than 1,600 K-12 schools and community colleges across these districts. Students can activate their cards on the online GoPass portal or by phone, and they have the option of using a virtual TAP card on the TAP LA App.
Last school year, WSS sponsored GoPasses for approximately 11,000 students at Lynwood Unified. Since 2021, over half a million students have used GoPass to get around.
Whittier City Councilmember and L.A. Metro Board Chair Fernando Dutra said, "Many students rely on public transit to get to school." Dutra also added that students who have access to public transit are more likely to graduate.
Lynwood students took over 42,000 rides between July 2024 and May 2025 under the GoPass Program. The Los Angeles Community College District and Long Beach Community College District are also part of the GoPass Program. Participating schools distribute TAP cards and activation codes to students for free, unlimited rides on trains and buses.
The GoPass Program team aims to expand the program until every student that needs a GoPass has one. The Los Angeles Unified School District and Long Beach Unified School District are among the participating school districts.
In conclusion, the expanded WSS-sponsored GoPass Program is set to provide a significant boost to students' mobility and educational opportunities, contributing to their success in the coming school year.
[1] Source: L.A. Metro's official website.
- The expanded sponsorship by retailer WSS will allow students to utilize not only Metro trains and buses, but also transit services offered by 18 additional operators, such as the Antelope Valley Transit Authority and Long Beach Transit, for educational-and-self-development purposes.
- The transportation industry, in partnership with the Los Angeles Metro's GoPass Program, has expanded its reach to various sectors, including the finance and education, with over half a million students across multiple school districts benefiting from ride access.
- To further augment mobility and transportation opportunities, the GoPass Program, backed by industry sponsors like WSS, strives to provide free transit access to every student in need, enabling them to easily attend classes and pursue their education-and-self-development goals.
