PRESS RELEASE

February 8, 2023

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PARTNERSHIP WITH MASON TRANSIT INCREASES ACCESSIBILITY TO AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR NORTH MASON TEENS

BELFAIR, WA - North Mason School District (NMSD) secondary students now have access to FREE after-school program transportation. Collaboration between North Mason School District’s Director of Transportation, Maurine Simons, Mason Transit Authority (MTA) Operations Coordinator, Dan Sharp, and Jessica Gray from the North Mason Teen Center Boys & Girls Club resulted in this program that will significantly enhance the secondary student experience at North Mason.

“Many of our students do not have after school transportation because of their parents’ work schedules,” explains Dana Rosenbach, Superintendent of NMSD. “Those teens that would like to be involved in after-school activities, sports and programs, are often unable to because they don’t have a ride home.”

This partnership is a game-changer.

Mason Transit will use the Boys & Girls Club as a bus stop, allowing club members and non-club members to access the free bus ride at 5:45 pm each weekday. Dan Sharp, Operations Coordinator from Mason Transit, emphasized that, “We will make sure that there are enough Dial-A-Ride buses for the number of teens use the service. No one will be without a ride.”

The “North Mason After-School Special Route” is available now. Riders must set up a profile with Mason Transit and can schedule rides by calling:

• 360-427-5033

• Toll Free: 800-374-3747 

• TTY/TTD: 711 or 800-833-6388

For more information, please contact:

Dana Rosenbach, Superintendent NMSD (360) 277-2300

Maurine Simons, Transportation Director, NMSD (360) 277-2301

Dan Sharp, Operations Coordinator Mason Transit Authority, (360) 426-9434

Jessica Gray, Branch Manager, North Mason Teen Center, Boys and Girls Club, (360) 362-1855