Homeschool benefits and savings in Western Riverside County
The Youth Ride Free program from Riverside Transit Agency (RTA) lets anyone 18 or younger ride all RTA fixed-route and GoMicro buses in western Riverside County free through June 30, 2027, instead of paying the $1.75 local fare or $3.50 CommuterLink fare. Your child only needs proof of age, and a homeschooled child without a school ID can use a state ID or a $2 RTA Youth ID card.
Who qualifies
Is 18 or younger
Anyone 18 and under rides free. Children 46 inches tall or under also ride free with a full-fare paying passenger.
Shows proof of age each ride
Your child shows a valid RTA Youth ID, school-issued picture ID, California driver's license, or other state-issued ID that shows they are 18 or younger every time they board.
Gets a Youth ID if needed
If your homeschooled child has no school picture ID or state ID, an RTA Youth ID card costs $2 and is available to anyone 18 and under.
What free rides save
RTA's posted general fares are what an adult pays; youth 18 and under pay nothing through June 30, 2027.
- Local one-way fare
- $1.75
- Local day pass
- $5
- Local 30-day pass
- $60
- CommuterLink one-way fare
- $3.50
- CommuterLink 30-day pass
- $95
- Youth 18 and under, any of these
- Free
Dial-A-Ride uses its own tickets, sold in books of ten, and RTA's announcement covers fixed-route and GoMicro buses only, so ask before booking Dial-A-Ride for your child.
How to ride free
- Before the first ride
Choose an ID
Use a California ID or driver's license, or apply for a $2 RTA Youth ID card.
- If you need a Youth ID
Mail the application
Mail the Reduced Fare ID Application to RTA, PO Box 59968, Riverside CA 92517-1968, email a color photo with your child's full name and birth date, and pay the $2 online or by check.
- Every ride
Show the ID when boarding
Your child shows proof of age to the driver each time they board an RTA bus.
- By June 30, 2027
Watch the end date
RTA extended the program from December 31, 2026 to June 30, 2027. Check RTA's fares page for what youth pay after that.
What it includes
Included
- All RTA local fixed-route buses
- CommuterLink Express buses
- GoMicro on-demand service
Not included
- Riders 19 and older
- Rides after June 30, 2027 unless RTA extends the program
Good to know
No application is needed
Your child just shows valid proof of age when boarding.
Who to contact about Youth Ride Free
The Customer Information Center explains how to get a Youth ID card and answers fare and route questions, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. weekends.
951-565-5002 Reduced fares page
Homeschool rules and statewide help in California
For the home-based private-school pathway, file the Private School Affidavit during the October 1–15 annual filing period. New schools may use the online filing system during its separate August 1–June 30 opening window. Other legal pathways have their own rules.
California sets these rules:
- Subjects: The private-school pathway must provide instruction in English in the branches of study required for public schools; the parent chooses the materials and course sequence.
- Testing: California does not impose a statewide standardized-testing requirement on private-school students.
- Records: Private schools must keep the records required by California law, including attendance and faculty information.
- Teachers: Private-school instructors must be capable of teaching; California does not issue a separate homeschool-parent credential.
Read the California homeschooling guide See statewide programs in California
Questions parents ask
- How long does an RTA Youth ID card take?
- Allow seven to 10 days for the card to arrive after RTA receives the mailed application, photo, and $2 fee.
- Can my child ride the CommuterLink express routes free?
- Yes. RTA's fare table lists youth 18 and under as free on CommuterLink as well as local routes through June 30, 2027.
- What photo does RTA accept for the ID card?
- RTA accepts a forward-facing color photo without sunglasses or a hat. Driver's license and state ID photos are not accepted.
Turn support into your child’s next lesson
A student fare helps with trips to classes and activities. We handle the learning at home, with lessons built around your child's interests and feedback on their work.
$149/month per child after the trial.
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