JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – There is a new effort to help Jacksonville teens travel safely while possibly cutting crime at the same time.
JTA has launched the Star Card, a discounted bus fare designed to help young people travel to summer school, work and summer programs.
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It's easy to sign up for the purple Star Card. You just have to fill out an application and turn it in to the Star Card building located at the Rosa Parks Bus Station Downtown. If you're 15 and older, you can sign up without your parents, but if you're under 15, you'll have to have your parents with you.
Carrissa Beeks, 17, loves her JTA Star Card that she got through the youth pass program. It's easy to use and gives the Wolfson High School senior- independence, she said.
"The Star Card helps me get anywhere in Jacksonville like the mall, Town Center, the library when I need to study and it's a really helpful card. I'm 17 and can't drive, don't have a license or permit or nothing so I have to rely on my parents and I know they get tired of me."
JTA's youth pass program allows kids under the age of 18 to get a purple star card -- giving them access to all JTA bus routes. With the increase in crime among teenagers earlier this year -- local pastor John Guns is hoping this program will help give youth affordable modes of transportation that will help keep them out of trouble.
In the month of April, two First Coast High School students were shot and killed. 16-year-old Edgar Robles shot into a school bus, wounding two girls. Pastor Guns sent News4Jax a statement that reads in part: "As our city seeks ways to address the growing issue of crime as it relates to our youth, I believe that any effort is helpful. Our young people need positive experiences and meaningful exposure so I hope this initiative will become a part of that process. I applaud JTA and pray our youth take advantage of it. "
"They can go to the library to the mall to see their friends the parents will love that they don't have to transport their kids all the time," said Ida Blaylock, a JTA Revenue Supervisor. Blaylock adds that 120 Star Cards have been sold so far and she encourages parents to consider the card for their teenagers. Beeks says it also helps youth build responsibility. "It teaches kids how to be punctual. Buses have certain times they come to stops and if you're not at that stop at that certain time, then the bus will leave you," she said.
JTA has a special right buy one get one so you can get two cards for the price of one at $30.