Free youth transit pilot project NextStop started June 15
The wheels on the bus are going round and round for free for some local youth after the City of Selkirk and the Province of Manitoba came together to announce free transit programs. The City made their announcement early this year, starting a pilot program where students between 12 and 21 years old could obtain a free bus pass this summer. The province then followed up early last week when they announced that they will be making passes free for kids under the age of 18 starting this September.
Wab Kinew announcing the free transit for youth under 18 in Selkirk starting in September
The press event where the province announced that they would be providing bus passes took place outside of the Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School. Students from Robert Smith School, École Bonaventure, and École Selkirk Junior High were there to welcome Premier Wab Kinew, Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson, MLA Matt Wiebe, and MLA Jelynn Dela Cruz as they made the announcement.
The emcees at the event were Grade 7 students Sophia Budge and Mia Palmer.
“We’re making transit free for you right across Manitoba, and we’re taking the first step right here in Selkirk. Selkirk has taken the first step by doing a summer pilot to make transit free for youth aged (12 to 21), and we’re going to work with them over the next few months to make sure that when you come back to school in the fall, no one under 18 has to pay for transit,” said Kinew at the announcement.
He explained that this means more independence for youth and is better for the environment, but he also explained that the hope is to instill good habits in students when they grow up.
Mayor Johannson thanked the provincial government for this investment.
“Selkirk Council identified free public transit for Selkirk youth in our 2026 budget, and not long after that, the province of Manitoba announced the initiative in its budget where youth in Winnipeg, Selkirk, and other municipalities would ride transit for free. Today, we’re excited to launch NextStop, Selkirk’s Free Youth Transit Pass for students aged 12 to 21, supporting Selkirk youth as well as students from neighbouring communities who attend school in Selkirk. Over 1700 students from Selkirk, St. Clements, and St. Andrews now have access to free Selkirk Transit. What does this mean? This means easier access to school, to jobs, to recreation, and to much more. Free youth transit is about more than just the rides. It’s about building a long-term vision where public transit is a natural, reliable choice for transportation. It’s about giving our youth more agency and more access to opportunity and making life more affordable for families,” said Johannson.
In addition, to make the process of riding a bus a little less intimidating for students who may be taking their first rides, the Selkirk pilot program will be bringing a bus to schools and providing ridership training each year to help students get a feel for how the system works and to build their confidence.
“We know that youth who grow up using transit become adults who use transit either as an option or as a regular part of their transportation mix. Since its inception in 2011, Selkirk Transit has almost tripled its ridership. Increased ridership of Selkirk Transit, now and in the future, will help eliminate vehicle emissions. It will ease traffic congestion, and it will support our climate action goals,” said Johannson.
Johannson then presented the first NextStop pass to the Premier, who accepted despite being a little older than most riders who will be eligible for these passes.
Longtime Selkirk resident and mother of kids who will be eligible for passes, Ashley Henry, then spoke about how this would help her family.
“Saving the cost of transit this year is going to save a lot of families money. It’s also going to allow our youth, ages 12 to 21, to have the freedom to enjoy their summer. If you want to go to Selkirk Park, Selkirk Transit is free. If you want to go swimming at the swimming pool, Selkirk Transit is free. If you want to just get an ice cream at Dairy Queen, Selkirk Transit is free. It’s also good news for parents who don’t have to drive their kids everywhere,” she said.
For now, the City of Selkirk program will come into effect. The free transit passes this summer will be available at Lord Selkirk Regional Comprehensive Secondary School, École Selkirk Junior High and the City of Selkirk Civic Office with identification and proof of enrolment.
Johannson says that the City is still in discussion with the province about the details of enacting the provincial program this September.
For more information on how to get a free pass this summer, who is eligible, as well as all of the details of NextStop, visit mysta.ca/nextstop.
