As students across Orange County head back to school, OCTA is encouraging parents to make sure their children have access to free OC Bus rides through OCTA's Youth Ride Free program.
This school year, families participating in the Youth Ride Free program must register their child's Wave card by September 30, 2026 for it to continue providing free OC Bus rides. After that date, Wave cards that have not been registered for the program will require a funded account and regular fares to ride. Families are encouraged to complete the registration process as soon as possible to avoid any interruption in free rides.
The Youth Ride Free program allows children and teens ages 6 to 18 to ride OC Bus free with a registered Wave card.
To enroll in the program, parents or guardians must create or sign in to a Wave account, complete the Youth Ride Free application, and submit required documentation, including proof of the child's name and birthdate and a recent photo. Once approved, eligibility remains active for two years before renewal is required.
Families who do not already have a Wave card can request one online before applying using these step-by-step instructions.
The Youth Ride Free program helps students save money while providing safe, reliable transportation. With more than 50 OC Bus routes and more than 5,000 bus stops, students have convenient access to schools, jobs, internships and activities throughout Orange County.
OCTA will continue community outreach to help students and families learn about this program and others, reinforcing the agency's commitment to making transportation more affordable and expanding access to education throughout Orange County.