The San Diego Chapter of the American Planning Association (SDAPA) held its yearly awards ceremony this past June at UCSD Park and Market. In these awards, the SDAPA brings together the San Diego planning community to celebrate planning projects that have made a difference in people’s lives.

The dream of free transit for youth began decades ago right here in City Heights, and that longterm effort finally came to fruition this year. Youth Opportunity Passes (YoP) are free transit passes for youth 18 years old and under, and the benefits of this program are already being felt.

The impact of the Youth Opportunity Pass Pilot Program will be huge! Youth 18 and under will now be able to attend school, career opportunities, and recreational activities and not be burdened by the high costs of transportation.

The Regional Plan affects all who call San Diego home, and the vote to approve this year’s plan is happening this week.

We’ve been at the table since the plan was formed, and this plan is especially important to us because it would mean promises made to our communities decades ago would be kept.