A group of clubs and student organizations from across the State of California are coming together to help create stronger public transit systems in our cities by forming the California High School Transit Alliance (CalHSTA). The Alliance will initially consist of five clubs across four diverse California communities - San Diego, San Mateo, Belmont, and Alhambra - representing schools and districts with over 128,000 total students. We hope to add more schools and communities in the future and create an Alliance that represents all California students.

“Across the state, more and more students are discovering how awesome taking transit can be. According to MTS, in my hometown of San Diego, youth transit use has jumped by 22% in just the last year. Public transit is the lifeblood of our cities and neighborhoods, and hundreds of my fellow Cavers and I use it to get to and from school every day. As a proud bike and transit commuter, I can’t wait to work alongside our awesome club members and our new Alliance to help make transit across this great state even better,” says Samuel Sharp, Alliance board member and presiding officer of CaverMetro at San Diego High School.

“Our state has made so much progress in building resilient and efficient transit systems, but I’ve also seen many people in my school and community get left behind - with infrequent and slow transit options that don’t encourage choice ridership. My school is just off of the train tracks, but - especially since COVID - it’s been hard to help transit agencies recover and to drive new growth in student ridership. I’m excited to work with the Alliance to help students try out transit and build systems that leave no one behind,” says David Rabinovich, Alliance board member and presiding officer of Transit @ SMHS Club at San Mateo High School.

CalHSTA will help bring public transit issues directly to students, with a focus on supportive in-school and out-of-school meetings and activities at individual campuses. Statewide calls-to-action and events will help bring clubs together and unify around the issues that matter most to student transit riders: having convenient, equitable transit options that make getting to school, home, and around town easy for everyone.

“As a bus commuter to my suburban high school, I’ve seen a great willingness to ride public transit alongside a great opportunity to improve transit service and offer even more mobility options for students, decreasing congestion and improving quality of life. Together with other clubs across the state, I believe we can make a real difference and advocate for a better transit future,” says Ben Mangiafico, presiding officer of Carlmont Transportation Club at Carlmont High School.

Any student at a California high school is welcome to start a transit or mobility club and join the Alliance! More information on how to join is available at alliance.cavermetro.org/join or on Twitter/X and Bluesky @CalHSTA.