Military veterans and many students can now get free rides on Bettendorf Transit buses.
The Bettendorf City Council recently approved updates to Bettendorf Transit’s fare structures to include two new categories of free fares: veterans and K-12 students traveling to and from school.
These new free fares went into effect Monday, Aug. 12. With the new fares, the City of Bettendorf Transit now aligns transit providers MetroLINK and Davenport Citibus, which currently offer these free faresl.
“We are excited about being able to offer these new fare categories to our citizens,” said Bettendorf Transit Operations Manager Austin Whelan. “Our veterans have sacrificed a lot for our freedoms in this country, so this is the least we can do to show our gratitude for their selflessness.”
He added “K-12 students will also benefit immensely from these changes by having another option to travel to and from school, without the barrier of having to pay a fare.”
To receive the free fare, veterans must show the bus driver a valid VA card or state-issued ID with a veteran stamp upon boarding.
Upon boarding, K-12 students must let the bus driver know which school they’re traveling to or that they’re going home from school. The driver will provide the student with a transfer slip if another bus is needed.
Here are the schools that are currently along or close to Bettendorf Transit Bus route:
- Bettendorf High School
- Edison Academy (new Location: 3066 Victoria St.)
- Bettendorf Middle School
- Grant Wood Elementary
- Herbert Hoover Elementary (drop-off/pick-up at 18th Street and Maplecrest Road)
- Mark Twain Elementary
- Neil Armstrong Elementary
- Paul Norton Elementary (drop-off/pick-up at 18th Street and Crow Creek Road)
- Hopewell Elementary (drop-off/pick-up at Devils Glen Road and Hopewell Avenue)
- Pleasant Valley High School
- Riverdale Heights Elementary
For information on bus schedules and routes, visit www.bettendorf.org/transit and download the SPOT App (www.bettendorf.org/SPOT) to plan trips and track buses in real time.
