Free bus pass pilot project at Clarke Road Secondary School could launch in September

New details on a free bus pass pilot program for Clarke Road Secondary students that is set to begin in September.

Grade 9 students entering Clarke Road Secondary School could be the first participants in a two-year pilot project that would let them ride London Transit buses for free.

Next week, city councillors will consider authorizing the program’s launch in September.

In April 2024, a motion by Deputy Mayor Shawn Lewis and Coun. Peter Cuddy directed city staff to draft a memorandum of understanding with the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) and London Transit about a Secondary School Transit Pass Pilot Program.

The deputy mayor says the idea began much earlier, telling CTV News, “I started working on this last term of council, and Councillor Cuddy was actually a school board trustee at the time.”

Cuddy recalls it was the first time he met Lewis in-person.

“We had a meeting of the minds,” explained Cuddy. “We both had the same idea, so we came together and we put this proposal together.”

The TVDSB estimates approximately 250 students will enter Grade 9 at Clarke Road Secondary School in September and an additional 250 students will enter Grade 9 in September 2027.

Those students would receive a free monthly bus pass for all 12 months of the year.

According to the staff report, the maximum cost of the pilot project would be $1.04 million if, “100 per cent of eligible students participate in the pilot and 100 per cent of students exceed the 52 rides per month threshold for the unlimited monthly pass. Actual costs of the program may be lower.”

There is no additional funding available for the program beyond 2028.

Lewis suggests data collected during the pilot project will ultimately influence if it is extended or expanded to other high schools.

“I’m going to be looking at all the indicators,” he explained. “We’re going to have some qualitative feedback from students. We’re going to have some data from transit in terms of ridership and use of the cards and see what the uptake has been.”

The program aims to evaluate the impact of free transit access on student attendance, academic achievement, participation in extracurricular and community activities, and overall transit use.

Cuddy emphasizes that students will play a critical role in whether the pilot project has a future beyond 2028.

“We have to see kids using it. There has to be the want and the desire,” he said. “I think we will. I’ve been in touch with parents and students and they are really looking forward to something like this.”

On Feb. 3, 2026, the Strategic Priorities and Policy Committee will consider authorizing the free bus pass program’s September launch date.