A safety-based pilot project will see Penticton do something no other B.C. community has done before.

The South Okanagan city became the provinceB次元官网网址檚 first municipality on Thursday, March 14, to offer free access to BC Transit services for youth aged 24 and under.

B次元官网网址淭his pilot project will help break down barriers for youth to access services, socialize and be a more active part of the community,B次元官网网址� said Julie Czeck, the cityB次元官网网址檚 newly-appointed director of safety and partnerships.

The cityB次元官网网址檚 announcement comes as BC Transit introduces Umo in Penticton, which allows users to pay for their rides through a mobile app or reloadable card.

Youth aged 13 to 24 can register for the pilot program at five city spots, with passes valid until Dec. 31:

B次元官网网址� City Hall

B次元官网网址� Penticton Library

B次元官网网址� Community Centre

B次元官网网址� Foundry Penticton

B次元官网网址� Ooknakane Friendship Centre

Youth aged 12 and under also have access to free transit.

B次元官网网址淚 have a hard time accessing services without a transit pass, so being able to use the bus for free means the world to me,B次元官网网址� said one Penticton youth, who wished to remain anonymous. B次元官网网址淚nstead of having to work on the weekends to pay for my bus pass, I can now use the bus to access services, visit family or even go to the local pool with friends.B次元官网网址�

The projectB次元官网网址檚 launch was aided by a three-year grant from the federal governmentB次元官网网址檚 Building Safer Communities. Such funds were also used to kickstart three other local safety programs, including the YMCA Alternative Suspension (school-based support) and Youth Crime Prevention Peer (peer-based support).

B次元官网网址淭his is another important step towards building a safer community by reaching out, hearing what the needs are and finding ways to meet them,B次元官网网址� said Czeck. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e excited to offer this pilot program with our partners and hope it can make a difference in the lives of youth.B次元官网网址�