Buses give youth free rides this summer
June 26, 2008 (MINNEAPOLIS) This summer, children and teens can jump on a You^th Are Here bus for a safe, reliable ride to activities in north and south Minneapolis. The two circulator buses stop at libraries, parks, and other organizations that have youth activities.
The Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board has set up two circulator bus routes for the summer, running until Aug. 15. The routes run from noon until 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, stopping at designated spots with youth opportunities along the way. The Northside buses serve the Near North and Camden communities, and the Southside buses travel through the Central, Phillips, Powderhorn, and Longfellow communities.
Youth from ages 9 to 18 can ride, and younger children can ride with an adult or a babysitter who is at least 13 years old. Riding the bus is free, but registration is required. The buses are supervised at all times by youth workers.
To see schedules for the You^th Are Here buses, or to register to ride, visit www.ycb.org or call the Youth Coordinating Board at (612)673-2060.
The City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board first launched the You^th Are Here buses in the summer of 2007 as a response to community concerns about the lack of safe and reliable transportation for children and youth wishing to attend after-school and summertime programs. The bus routes are intended to allow more young people to become involved in youth programs and to help programs reach youth who previously may not have been able to attend because of a lack of transportation.
In the year since the buses began running, more than 13,000 rides have been given to children and youth, connecting them to libraries, parks, and non-profit organizations that provide youth opportunities and activities. The You^th Are Here Bus is sponsored by The City of Minneapolis, Northway Community Trust, Greater Twin Cities United Way and the Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board.
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