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Fare Free Frontiers – Successes and Challenges
Wednesday June 10, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT
Salons F & G
In this session, attendees will learn real‑world outcomes of fare‑free programs transit systems. Presentations will demonstrate how each agency approached financial and operational challenges and will highlight key successes. The presenters will provide actionable takeaways on funding models, ridership trends, and stakeholder engagement that can guide any transit agency considering a fare‑free services. A portion of the session will also examine how these systems are evolving to meet future demands.
Moderators
avatar for Stephanie Lewis

Stephanie Lewis

Workforce Development Project Manager, USF/CUTR
Stephanie Lewis, M.Ed., is currently a Workforce Development Project Manager and Instructional Designer at the Center for Urban Transportation Research at the University of South Florida. She has a wide range of skills in online and instructor led course development, webinar coordination, video production... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Omar Peerzada

Omar Peerzada

Senior Planner, HART
Omar Peerzada is a Senior Planner for the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART). Omar leads on National Transit Database (NTD) reporting and supports major planning projects and development review on behalf of HART. He has a background in transit operational analysis, collaborative... Read More →
avatar for Chris Stephenson

Chris Stephenson

Director of Transportation, Indian River Transit
A proud Texan, Chris was born and raised in the Lone Star State. Chris received his undergraduate degree in Communication and his MA in Non-Profit Business Management from Abilene Christian University.   Chris previously worked for Sears Methodist Retirement Systems, the largest... Read More →
avatar for Jesus Peraza-Garcia

Jesus Peraza-Garcia

Planning & Scheduling team, Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART)
Jesus Peraza Garcia is the Manager of Planning for the Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART). Jesus leads in the development of HART's major planning projects and acts as an agency representative for projects impacting the Tampa Bay region. He holds a variety of skills including data... Read More →
avatar for Tracy Jahn

Tracy Jahn

Tracy Jahn is St. Lucie County’s Transit Operations Manager.  She joined the Transit Team in September 2020.   Tracy is responsible for overseeing operational and fiscal aspects of the County’s transit system, Area Regional Transit (ART), and other special transit programs... Read More →
Wednesday June 10, 2026 8:00am - 9:45am EDT
Salons F & G
  Panel Presentation

Attendees (61)


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