A safety-based pilot project will see Penticton do something no other B.C. community has done before.

The South Okanagan city became the province鈥檚 first municipality on Thursday, March 14, to offer free access to BC Transit services for youth aged 24 and under.

鈥淭his pilot project will help break down barriers for youth to access services, socialize and be a more active part of the community,鈥� said Julie Czeck, the city鈥檚 newly-appointed director of safety and partnerships.

The city鈥檚 announcement comes as BC Transit introduces Umo in Penticton, which allows users to pay for their rides through a mobile app or reloadable card.

Youth aged 13 to 24 can register for the pilot program at five city spots, with passes valid until Dec. 31:

鈥� City Hall

鈥� Penticton Library

鈥� Community Centre

鈥� Foundry Penticton

鈥� Ooknakane Friendship Centre

Youth aged 12 and under also have access to free transit.

鈥淚 have a hard time accessing services without a transit pass, so being able to use the bus for free means the world to me,鈥� said one Penticton youth, who wished to remain anonymous. 鈥淚nstead of having to work on the weekends to pay for my bus pass, I can now use the bus to access services, visit family or even go to the local pool with friends.鈥�

The project鈥檚 launch was aided by a three-year grant from the federal government鈥檚 Building Safer Communities. Such funds were also used to kickstart three other local safety programs, including the YMCA Alternative Suspension (school-based support) and Youth Crime Prevention Peer (peer-based support).

鈥淭his is another important step towards building a safer community by reaching out, hearing what the needs are and finding ways to meet them,鈥� said Czeck. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to offer this pilot program with our partners and hope it can make a difference in the lives of youth.鈥�