CARTA Launches ‘Read & Ride Program’ to Help Students Access Education and Community Resources
Graphic courtesy of CARTA
In The Know with Gino…
As students in the Chattanooga area prepare for the upcoming school year, the Chattanooga Area Regional Transportation Authority (CARTA) is emphasizing a valuable initiative designed to support student mobility and literacy. The Read & Ride Program offers FREE bus rides to K–12 students through a partnership with the Chattanooga Public Library, making it easier for young learners to reach their educational, recreational, and community destinations.
The program connects transportation with literacy efforts by providing students with a complimentary CARTA bus pass after registering via the Chattanooga Public Library’s Beanstack platform. Once registered, students can pick up their passes at any local library branch and use them to travel on CARTA’s fixed-route buses at no cost.
This initiative aims to remove transportation barriers for students, enabling them to attend school, visit the library, participate in after-school activities, and engage with community programs throughout CARTA’s service area. Since its launch two years ago, the program has facilitated over 60,000 trips, helping many students navigate their daily routines and explore Chattanooga more independently.
The Read & Ride Program is available year-round, serving students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Registration is simple and can be completed online or at any Chattanooga Public Library location.
Parents and students interested in participating can visit the library’s Beanstack platform for registration and pickup details. The program is designed to support student mobility and encourage lifelong learning by making transportation a seamless part of their educational journey.
For more information or to sign up, visit chattlibrary.org/beanstack or stop by any library branch in Chattanooga.
SOURCE: Chattanoogan
