With a click of the mouse, kids can get their ticket to ride on one of the Peninsula’s best summertime transit bargains. SamTrans launches its 2008 Summer Youth “MyPass” program into cyberspace this year.

The Summer Youth Pass goes on sale May 21, the same day SamTrans unveils a special Web site aimed at its young riders. By clicking on the site www.samtrans.com/mypass, kids can learn about the pass, as well as complete a simple on line survey about their favorite destinations, and be eligible to win prizes.

“We’ve created an on line opportunity for us to get to know our youth riders so we can better serve them,” said SamTrans Marketing Manager Patrick Boland. “We’ve included videos, a destination guide and other information that we hope will help kids use SamTrans to go places this summer.”

The survey and contest go “live” May 21 and end July 15. First prize is an Apple ipod gift pack; second prize is a Nintendo DS Lite player plus a travel kit or a digital camera (two winners); and third prize is a September Youth Pass (three winners). Ten digital photo keychains will be given away to fourth prize winners.

The deeply discounted pass offers kids freedom to get around with unlimited rides on SamTrans buses between June 1 and Aug. 31, whether it’s to the mall, the movies, theme park or a summer job, without waiting for mom or dad to drive. And, with dozens of routes throughout San Mateo County and into Palo Alto and San Francisco, SamTrans offers kids plenty of opportunity to get where they want to go, all for a low price of $35; this is 60 percent less than the cost of three regular monthly youth passes.

The pass is available to anyone 17 and younger at nearly 100 SamTrans pass sales outlets located throughout the county, including all Safeway stores. The passes also can be ordered by mail.

The contest is only open to youths who live within the SamTrans service area. Only one entry per person or e-mail address will be accepted. Minors must have their parents’ permission if they are chosen as a prize winner. Entries will be accepted until

5 p.m. on July 15 and winners will be chosen by random drawing.

The pass and the survey also are available at the San Mateo County Transit District, 1250 San Carlos Ave. in San Carlos, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For an order form or to find the location of a pass sales outlet, call Customer Service at 1-800-660-4287 (TTY 650-508-6448), or visit www.samtrans.com/mypass.

05/16/08 - msk
Media Contact: Mary Knuckles, 650-508-6356