Hartford, CT— High school students gathered at the State Capitol today in support of SB 1243, An Act Concerning Bus Public Transportation Services for Veterans and High School Students. This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a discount program for public transportation bus passes for high school students and would exempt veterans from fares on state-owned or controlled buses.
SB 1243 was approved by the Transportation Committee with bipartisan support in a 30-4 vote on March 19, 2025, and has been cosponsored by 23 legislators. It has yet to be voted on by the Senate or the House.
The event featured an educational briefing led by high school high school students who provided an update on SB 1243’s status and provided personal testimonials on the ways that fare-free transit would benefit them and their schools. Following the briefing, advocates guided students in meeting with members of the senate behind the rope lines of the Capitol, where they gained at least one additional co-sponsor on the bill.
Here’s what high school students had to say:
“Many students rely on the bus to get to school,” said Ashen Harper, a high school senior at Stamford High School and founder of Fridays for Future Stamford. “A majority of students (including a high number of low-income students,) live within two miles of their high school, which in many cities means they don’t receive school bus service. Not every high school student is currently afforded a ride to school. State leaders must fix this by passing SB 1243 to increase students’ access. We need SB 1243, and we need $3 million in the budget to implement fare-free programs, or else we are denying students the fundamental right to an education, not to mention opportunities like jobs, sports, internships, clubs, and advocacy.”
“Low-income students often face significant transportation challenges, which can limit their ability to pursue educational opportunities or participate in extracurricular activities. Many parents work full time and are unable to provide consistent transportation for their children due to demanding work schedules. As a result, students are frequently held back from engaging in after-school programs, clubs, and events that contribute to their academic and personal development,” said Ada Akdag, a sophomore at West Haven High School and a representative of Save the Sound’s Environmental Justice Ambassadors program.
“Coming from a household with a single provider—my mother—I know this struggle personally. I often face difficulties finding transportation to and from school-related activities. This not only disrupts my mother’s work schedule but also limits my ability to stay involved in my school and community. Senate Bill 1243 would be a game-changer for students like me. It would provide fare-free transportation for high schoolers across the state, enabling more young people to stay connected to their education and their communities. This bill would help thousands of students in Connecticut remain active in school and extracurricular activities, ultimately helping them build a stronger future,” Akdag added.
“Every student should have a ride to school. But in Connecticut, for students who live under two miles from their school building, district-funded transportation is not a guarantee. For this reason, students in cities like Hartford rely on public transit as a means to attend school and engage in extracurricular activities. But when we don’t address the barrier of costs in young people’s ability to access their school community, this tie is severed. If we want young people to be healthy. If we want young people to be connected. If we want students to be invested in school and fully engaged in their communities, it is vital that we supply them the tools they need to get there,” said Oluwaseyi “Shay” Oluborode, a high school junior and leader of University High School of Science and Engineering’s Social Justice League.
Following the event, representatives of supporting advocacy organizations shared comments in support of increased access to public transportation.
“Expanding access to public transit opens up economic and educational opportunities, improves access to health care, and strengthens social connections. Affordable, equitable transit empowers residents to engage in their communities while also improving air quality and reducing emissions,” said Allison Pilcher, Policy Director for the Connecticut Roundtable on Climate and Jobs. “It’s a common-sense investment for our people and our future.”
“Traffic is the leading source of asthma-producing air pollution in Connecticut,” said Dr. Mark Mitchell, Co-chair of the Connecticut Equity and Environmental Justice Advisory Council (CEEJAC). “It is no coincidence that traffic, air pollution and asthma are all concentrated in urban areas. Free fares for high school students and veterans will prevent additional traffic pollution from school buses, trucks, and cars. It will also encourage students to adopt a car-free future, as well as mitigate greenhouse gas production and global warming,” Mitchell said.
“Reducing dependence on private cars and utilizing mass transit are essential to meet the state’s climate targets and laws and to protect our health. SB 1243 encourages use of mass transit by reducing financial barriers to public transportation for high school students and veterans and would reduce transportation-related emissions statewide. We call on the Governor and state officials to ensure passage of this legislation,” said Alex Rodriguez, Environmental Justice Specialist at Save the Sound and CEEJAC Air and Transportation Subcommittee Chair.
“As a New Haven Public Schools alum, I was privileged to never have to pay out-of-pocket for bus fare in high school given the 2-hour bus passes offered to students who pursued after school activities. These bus passes allowed me to fully participate in extracurriculars, build independence, and get around for work obligations and leisure. I want to see this offering be expanded to high schoolers around the state through the passage of SB 1243. Offering fare-free rides to high school students is an inexpensive and high-reward action that the state can take to boost equity, connect young people to career-building opportunities, and instill sustainable transportation habits in teens,” said Adrian Huq, co-founder of New Haven Climate Movement Youth Action Team.
“Public transportation should be a pathway to opportunity—not a barrier,” said Julianna Larue, Legislative Organizer with Sierra Club Connecticut. “SB 1243 ensures high school students and veterans can access school, work, and essential services without the burden of fare costs. At the same time, expanding fare-free transit is a smart step toward reducing emissions and building a cleaner, more connected Connecticut.”
“A bus fare might seem small, but it can stand between a student and their future, or a veteran and the care they need,” said Marc Gonzalez, Program Coordinator at Conservation Law Foundation. “This bill gives people a chance to catch a ride to the future they deserve.”
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