Passenger Link – July 2026

Heat Safety Tips

An EPIC Friendship

Every weekday, rain or shine, one familiar face can be found along our EPIC Special route. Newspaper in hand, Doug steps outside to greet the bus with a smile and a wave. a simple gesture that has become a cherished part of the day for our passengers.

What began years ago as a friendly suggestion from one of our daily riders, John, has grown into a beloved tradition. John first noticed him reading his newspaper on the front porch each morning and encouraged him to wave to the passing bus. Doug took the idea to heart, and he hasn’t missed a day since.

Today, Doug is much more than a friendly neighbor along the route. He has become a fixture of the EPIC Special community. Passengers eagerly watch for him each morning, and when Doug raises his hand in greeting, the entire bus waves back. The exchange lasts only a few moments, but it brings smiles to everyone involved.

Over the years, Doug has become well known to the many operators who have driven the route. His consistency, kindness, and positive spirit have made a lasting impression on passengers and staff alike.

In a world where meaningful connections can sometimes feel rare, Doug reminds us that even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference. One wave, one smile, and one daily tradition have helped create a sense of community that our passengers look forward to every day.

Community Engagement

CityLink earned First Place at the Inaugural Juneteenth Classic, hosted by the Tri-County Urban League on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Weaver Ridge Golf Course. The event brought together community leaders, businesses, and supporters from across Central Illinois for a day of friendly competition and meaningful impact. As a fundraiser, the Juneteenth Classic directly supports the Tri-County Urban League’s programs and initiatives that empower youth, strengthen families, promote education, and expand economic opportunities throughout the region.

CityLink is honored to support the Urban League’s mission and to participate in events that foster community engagement, equity, and opportunity.

The Marketing & Community Engagement and Safety Teams attended the Central Illinois Emergency Expo at Grand Prairie on Thursday, June 18, 2026. This event is in partnership with the Peoria County Government, allowing families the chance to see emergency response vehicles up close and an opportunity to meet the heroes of our community. Passengers of all ages where able to step aboard one of our fixed-route buses and talk with our bus operator, James!

State of the City

On Thursday, June 25, 2026, members of CityLink attended the Peoria Chamber of Commerce State of Greater Peoria: Education Address, with keynote speaker, Dr. Jerry Bell. The new Superintendent of the Peoria School District 150 spoke about his vision for the district and what our community needs from local public schools. 

As he enters his 31st year in education, his burning passion for ensuring every student has access to an equitable, high-quality education will undoubtedly shine through his leadership.

Dr. Renee Andrews and Arnitria Shaw also took the stage for a fireside chat, reinforcing the importance of preparing today’s students to become tomorrow’s workforce leaders.

One message that was repeated was how we must equip students with the adaptability and diverse skill sets needed to thrive in an ever-changing workforce; to become the “Swiss Army knives” of versatility, ready for wherever their career paths may lead.

Career Opportunities

On Friday, June 5 2026, Human Resource Coordinator Krystal attended the Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois Annual Hiring Fair. This event featured over 40 local employees in the community, helping applicants find their best fit for their future career. These career fairs are a great way to spread the word about the various opportunities and transportation services that CityLink can provide.

Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month, celebrating and honoring the history, achievements, experiences, and struggles of the disability community. July 26, 1990 marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disability (ADA) Act, which was a landmark legislation that broke down barriers to inclusion in society. This year, the ADA Act will celebrate its 36th anniversary. 

When the act was first passed, a celebration was held in Boston in 1990. Here in Illinois, Chicago hosted the first Disability Pride Parade twenty years ago in 2004. Now there are events nationwide, empowering people with disabilities to take pride in who they are.

Yet before the act was passed in the 90’s, The Gang of 19 started the movement for making the world more accessible, especially public transportation. In 1978, 19 individuals in Denver, Colorado tossed aside their wheelchairs and blocked city buses that they deemed inaccessible for the physically disabled for over 24 hours.

Disability Pride Month not only celebrates disabled persons, but embraces their disabilities as an integral part of who they are, reclaiming visibility in public and interacting fully with their disabilities out in the open, while rejecting any shame and internalized ableism. It is a time for the community to come together, uplift, and amplify one another’s voices and be heard.

At GPMTD, we want to make sure that all of our riders can enjoy taking public transportation, without any interruptions because of their disabilities. With new and improved lifts to help with mobility aids on our newer buses, CityLift service in partnership with Transdev, and exceptional training of our bus operators, we all can ensure that our passengers experience the best quality of transportation that we can offer.