MTA RIDE FOREVER Protocol for U.S. Military Veterans During COVID-19 Pandemic
MTA’s RIDE FOREVER initiative was launched on Veterans Day 2019, enabling U.S. military veterans honorably discharged from military service to ride all MTA fixed route buses FREE of CHARGE FOREVER beginning at age 65.
Program Rules for RIDE FOREVER.
Applicants must:
1. Be a resident of Macon-Bibb County.
2. Be at least 65 years old.
3. Bring proof age & service: veterans ID card, driver’s license indicating military service, DD214 or DD215 card.
4. RIDE FOREVER card is valid for travel on MTA’s fixed route buses only.
However, since the Terminal Station remains closed due to the pandemic, except for essential services, MTA made the following arrangements to ensure enrollment for eligible veterans:
1. To enroll in RIDE FOREVER, veterans must MAKE AN APPOINTMENT with MTA.
2. Call (478) 803-2520 during business hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
3. When making an appointment, veterans may: request an application by email to complete at home and bring to the appointment, OR may complete the form at the appointment.
4. Must submit to temperature check AND MUST WEAR a MASK.
5. When the ID is authenticated, a photo will be taken and a RIDE FOREVER card issued. RIDE FOREVER cards continues to be covered by AARP of Georgia. $5.00 fee for card replacement.
MTA CEO Craig Ross says, “It is MTA’s honor to continue this FREE program for our local veterans in partnership with AARP of Georgia. We want to remind the public of this initiative as Veteran’s Day, the special day we formally remember those who bravely served our nation, approaches.”
