Evansville’s Free Summer Bus Ride Program Returns for Students

Summer break can create a transportation headache for a lot of families.

Kids still need access to summer programs, pools, parks, libraries, and jobs, but it can be a big challenge when parents are already juggling work schedules, childcare, and transportation all at once.

Fortunately, the City of Evansville is helping with the return of a popular transportation program.

The "My Summer Ride" program will offer free METS bus rides for local youth throughout the summer.

According to the city, the program provided more than 15,000 free rides last summer alone.

Students Can Ride METS Free All Summer Long

The My Summer Ride program is available for youth aged 18 and younger, providing rides from May 26 through August 7, 2026.

The city says the goal is to help remove transportation barriers that can limit access to important community resources and opportunities during summer break.

That includes:

• Summer jobs
• Parks
• Libraries
• Community programs
• City pools
• Other activities around Evansville

Where Students Can Pick Up Free Passes

Free My Summer Ride passes can be picked up at:

• CK Newsome Center
• METS Administration building
• All Evansville public city pools

The city says students who may appear older than 18 should be prepared to show a school ID or report card when picking up a pass.

Transportation Access Can Make a Huge Difference During Summer Break

Programs like this often fly under the radar, but transportation access can completely shape what opportunities kids and teens can participate in over the summer.

For some students, reliable transportation means being able to get to a summer job independently for the first time.

For others, it means access to meals, recreation, educational programs, or simply having safe places to go during the day.

With summer expenses already stretching a lot of families' budgets, free transportation can make a bigger impact than people sometimes realize.