The Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) is seeking applications for the next cohort of the Youth Transit Council, a forum for 14- to 18-year-olds in the Baltimore region.
Participants in the cohort will learn how the MTA, a division of the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) operates. The students will be invited to offer suggestions and explore career options available in the public transportation industry.
“The Youth Transit council is one way we empower the next generation to shape the future of transit,” Maryland Transit Administrator Holly Arnold said in a statement. “This forum allows MTA to hear directly from our younger riders and ensure that their needs are being met.”
The council members serve 9-month terms beginning in the fall of the academic year with an option to renew for a second term. There are at least six meetings during the academic year that may be virtual, hybrid, or in-person. Meeting times may vary, but will generally be around two hours long, held on Saturday mornings.
The objective is to provide youth with a forum in which to raise awareness and understanding of what matters most to them related to their public transportation experience. By developing connections with MTA staff, the Youth Transit Council is designed to foster understanding and collaboration between the agency and the young customers it serves.
Applications will be accepted through Sept. 25. Applicants should live within the Maryland Transit Administration’s core service area. The 20 teens serving on the all-volunteer council should be representative of the region’s ages, geographies, demographics, and schools.
Council members will collaborate with other young riders to develop ideas for improvements, have career development opportunities in the transportation industry, earn service hours needed for high school graduation, and gain invaluable insight into how a major transit system functions. Participants may also earn letters of recommendation for future educational and career opportunities.
The Maryland Transit Administration is one of the largest multi-modal transit systems in the United States, operating local and commuter buses, Light Rail, Metro Subway, MARC Train Service, and a comprehensive Mobility paratransit system.
Teens interested in joining the volunteer council are invited to apply by clicking this link.
