NORFOLK, Va. – Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) has changed the way teenagers get around the region.
The Student Freedom Pass is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. The free pass offered to high schoolers has introduced thousands of students to transit while providing them with safe and efficient transportation to and from after-school activities, jobs, and other destinations. Parents like the pass, too – less driving their teens around.
Over the past decade, 14,866 Student Freedom Passes have been distributed in all six cities served by HRT. Last year alone, more than 2,000 passes were created while hundreds of additional students signed up ahead of this school year.
HRT’s Student Freedom Pass provides riders ages 13-17 years old in Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Virginia Beach with unlimited rides on all HRT modes of transit. Best of all, there’s no cost to the passholder.
“The Student Freedom Pass was designed to introduce the next generation of riders to transit,” said Alexis Majied, Chief Communications Officer. “It began as a way to teach teens how to navigate transit independently and give them the freedom to get where they needed to go.”
The pass started as a swipeable card. Today, every Student Freedom Pass comes with the name and photo of each passholder. The passes are available by filling out the online application and then visiting one of HRT’s transit centers in Hampton, Newport News or Norfolk.
HRT’s outreach team also visits local high schools, where students can sign up for the pass on the spot.
The pass is more than just a way to get around. Student participation has led to the creation of the Student Transit Riders Commission, comprised of high school students from the six cities.
The commission meets once a month to exchange views and provide a youth perspective on transit while engaging with decision makers.
About HRT
HRT’s mission is to connect Hampton Roads with transportation solutions that are reliable, safe, efficient and sustainable. For more information on transit services, visit gohrt.com.
Media Contact:
Thomas Becher, APR
Manager, Communications
Cell: (757) 354-0564
tbecher@hrtransit.org
August 24, 2026