News

Rider profile: Trina Ramirez and family

June 25, 2018

Trina Ramirez, mother of two, works in the Office of the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies at KU. During the summer, the bus system gives her family a boost by providing easy and affordable transportation options.

Her daughter Fiona, age 8, attends Boys & Girls Club. Her son Felix, age 5, stays with his babysitter Arianna, an incoming freshman at Lawrence High School.

“Getting a K-12 summer pass into the hands of my sitter meant I could focus on work without the normal interruptions of ‘shuttle-service’ that moms who work outside the home are often faced with during summer break,” Ramirez says. “Arianna doesn’t have transportation of her own so she and Felix hop on the #7 bus every day for adventures at South Park, the Library, Sports Pavilion Lawrence, and Prairie Park Nature Center.”

Since Felix can still ride for free until he turns six, all she needed was a pass for Ariana. Ramirez was pleasantly surprised by the cost of the summer K-12 pass, which is good from May through August.

“I was thrilled to learn the T was offering a summer bus pass for school-aged children,” she says. “Unlimited rides for $10??? Are you kidding me? There is no better deal in town!”

Ramirez says her children have learned about public transportation from a young age, and both are comfortable riding the bus.

“My children have grown up riding the T,” Ramirez says. “There is a stop across the street from our house and the T is our preferred method of transportation for big downtown events (like the Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Zombie Walk). It’s great to not have to mess with finding a parking spot during those high-traffic events.”

Riding the bus can be a way to avoid parking hassles, save on fuel costs, help working parents, and provide access to activities across the city.

“The opportunities for summer fun for Lawrence’s littlest citizens are plentiful and the pass has made these opportunities accessible to my little man,” Ramirez says. “Long live the T and long live the K-12 summer pass!”