Orange County families who rely on the OCTA Youth Ride Free program can get hands‑on assistance this Thursday as the agency holds an open house at its main office. The event runs from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at 550 S. Main St. in Orange, where staff will help parents create Wave accounts, link them to their children’s profiles, and answer questions about the upcoming transition.
Why the change matters for families
Since its inception, the Youth Ride Free program has provided free bus rides to thousands of young people across Orange County, giving them safe, affordable transportation to school, activities, and jobs. OCTA Chair Jamey M. Federico said the shift to a Wave‑card system will make the benefit easier to manage and ensure that students can continue riding OC Bus without interruption.
How the new system works
Starting now, parents or guardians must set up a Wave account before applying for the Youth Ride Free benefit. Once the account is created, officials will link it to the child’s profile and issue a Wave card that can be tapped on any OC Bus for free boarding. The card and account must be renewed every two years to keep the benefit active.
Important deadlines
Families have until September 30 to complete the enrollment process. Those who miss the deadline will lose the free‑ride benefit until they finish the application for the new system. The program remains open to youth ages 6 through 18.
What to expect at the open house
OCTA staff will be on hand to walk parents through each step of the Wave account creation, answer technical questions, and provide printed guides. Attendees can also see a demonstration of how the Wave card works on a bus scanner. The agency encourages anyone who is unsure about the process or needs extra help to attend.
Community impact
By simplifying enrollment, OCTA hopes to keep more families connected to reliable public transit, supporting both educational outcomes and local economies. Free bus access reduces traffic congestion, lowers family transportation costs, and aligns with broader goals of safe, family‑friendly mobility throughout the county.
For more information, families can call OCTA’s customer service line or visit the agency’s website, where step‑by‑step instructions and FAQs are posted.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
