The Road to Equity: How Public Transit is Helping Youth in Lynnwood

Justine Locke, vice principal of Lynnwood High School, knows that something as small as saying “Good Morning!” can open doors. She smiles and greets every student that she encounters.   

“It’s not just a greeting. It’s a way to say ‘I see you. You’re not invisible.’ Sometimes students don’t respond, but it doesn’t hurt my feelings. That’s information.”  

She’s seen how removing barriers to attendance can change lives.  
 
“I want them to know that they have a contribution to make as a part of this community. When you’re absent from school, you’re not just missing schoolwork. We’re all missing out on whatever thoughts you have on the subject that was being discussed. We’re all here to learn from each other.”  

Locke says that one of the major attendance barriers that students face is transportation. Although public schools provide limited bus service during school hours, transportation gaps often prevent students from participating in school programs, athletics, and activities.  

“Transit is an equity issue,” she says. “When you don’t have access to something as basic as transportation, you don’t have the ability to get where you need to go.”  

On Sept. 14, Community Transit rolled out a major network expansion to improve local transit options and provide more connections to regional transit. The service change followed the opening of four new light rail stations in Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace, and Shoreline.  

The September service change added 10 new bus routes, including Route 121, which runs between Ash Way Park & Ride and the UW Bothell/Cascadia College campus. Route 121 serves two bus stops in front of Lynnwood High School on North Road. Recent road improvements have allowed for bus service in this area that wasn’t previously possible.  

Locke says that the new route’s connections to local colleges help more students participate in Running Start, which lets high schoolers take classes at Cascadia College and Edmonds College.  

Thanks to funding support from Washington’s Climate Commitment Act, people 18 and younger can ride for free with a Youth ORCA card, letting them reach more opportunities using transit. Learn more at ctgo.org/getyouthorca.   

“Student athletes and club members now have a bus to ride, which allows for greater participation. We’re also launching an after-school tutoring program,” says Locke. “Access to public transportation has been a big part of making this possible and accessible.” 

Community Transit offers programming for schools and community partners that helps teach students transit basics. Natalie Lawrence leads this effort for the agency.  

“Learning how to use public transit is an essential life skill that builds confidence and offers students equal access to their communities.” says Lawrence. “Our goal is to inspire the next generation of public transit users through an engaging and hands-on presentation.”  

“We are excited to host the rider lessons,” says Locke. “Students have been asking how and when to ride. It’s been a beautiful lift for our community! One more barrier broken, one more bridge created — equity in motion!” 

Are you an educator interested in Community Transit’s in-school programming? Visit ctgo.org/youthclass to learn more.