Passenger Link – June 2026

Culture Committee 

Members of our Culture Committee spent the morning of Thursday, May 14, 2026 planting at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center’s Garden of Hope at St. Ann’s Church. This community collaboration will provide those living in this area with fresh fruits and veggies in the coming weeks. Because of our help in just a few hours, we were able to save the volunteers from several days work! 

Celebrating Juneteenth  

Celebrating Juneteenth is an opportunity to honor and appreciate African American culture, history, and contributions. It highlights the resilience, achievements, and rich cultural heritage of the African American community, but do you know it’s origins in history?  

On “Freedom’s Eve,” or the eve of January 1, 1863, the first Watch Night services took place. On that night, enslaved and free African Americans gathered in churches and private homes all across the country awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had taken effect. At the stroke of midnight, prayers were answered as all enslaved people in Confederate States were declared legally free. Union soldiers, many of whom were black, marched onto plantations and across cities in the south reading small copies of the Emancipation Proclamation spreading the news of freedom in Confederate States. Only through the Thirteenth Amendment did emancipation end slavery throughout the United States. 

But not everyone in Confederate territory would immediately be free. Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was made effective in 1863, it could not be implemented in places still under Confederate control. As a result, in the westernmost Confederate state of Texas, enslaved people would not be free until much later. Freedom finally came on June 19, 1865, when some 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas. The army announced that the more than 250,000 enslaved black people in the state, were free by executive decree. This day came to be known as “Juneteenth,” by the newly freed people in Texas. Today, we celebrate it nationally, embracing diversity and promoting a deeper understanding and respect for different cultures.  

 Information gathered from the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture 

Fourth of July  

5^th Annual ADA WOW Event 

Mark your calendars! The 5th Annual ADA WOW! Celebration and Resource Fair will be held on Thursday, July 23, 2026 from 4:30—6:30 p.m. at EP!C. We’re excited to bring this event back to EP!C as we celebrate the 36th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) being signed into law by President George H. W. Bush.   

Vendors will be available to provide information on their services, products and will hand out free giveaways to attendees. GPMTD’s transportation services – CityLink (fixed route), CityLift (paratransit) and CountyLink (rural) – will have vehicles on-site to showcase their accessibility features.  

For more information, please visit our website at ridecitylink.org/mobility/adaevents 

Community Engagement  

On Monday, May 4, 2026, the team supported PCCEO Headstart’s lesson on transit by bringing a bus to their school, giving students the chance to explore the bus and learn more during their career week! Children ages 0 to 5 enjoyed getting to use their bus ticket to board, have a question and answer session with our bus operator “Mr. Andy,” and even enjoy a singalong to “The Wheels on the Bus!” 

Saturday, May 9, 2026, was full of activities. Dr. ShamRA attended the Big Rig Petting Zoo with the Fondulac District Library in East Peoria. This unique “petting zoo” allowed kids to experience and explore heavy equipment that they might not get to see every day. while at the Big Rig event, Safety Director Fatina stepped in to ensure our drivers followed 3-points-of-contact procedures and assisted with keeping families safe as they got on and off the bus. Thank you to Mechanic Jerry and Bus Operator John for helping show off one of our fixed-route buses and our tow truck to fellow transportation enthusiasts of all ages!  

Also on Saturday, May 9, 2026, Bus Operator Nunni participated in the PNC Worldwide Day of Play at Glen Oak Park. This event provided a range of engaging activities and attractions to get kids moving. We had our Peoria Police Department bus present for families to learn more about public transportation and to explore the interior, while also taking a moment to enjoy a moment in the shade. 

CityLink was pleased to partner with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission at the Peoria Riverfront Market on its opening day, May 23, 2026. With more than 115 vendors in attendance, CityLink shared information about public transportation and collaborated with the Tri-County Regional Planning Commission to gather ongoing customer survey feedback. We also offered visitors the chance to step inside one of our diesel buses and learn more about available transit options. A special thank-you to our bus operator Amos, for your support. 

Travel Training  

On Tuesday, May 12, 2026, members of CityLink staff visited the PAT Academy at Glen Barton School to provide travel training for students to familiarize themselves with public transportation and enjoy a hands-on transit experience. During the session, students learned important bus safety skills, including how to board and exit properly, signal the driver for stops, and use the bike rack. Bus Operator Andy then took students on a ride around town, including a special stop at our Transit Center downtown. At the Transit Center, students met Security Officer Will and learned where to find the correct bus for their destination.  

Free Admission – Peoria PlayHouse 

CityLink and the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum are partnering for the month of June to offer a free entry opportunity for CityLink, CityLift, CountyLink and Benefit Access passengers who present a bus pass or ticket for one of these services. Passengers simply show their bus pass/ticket at the museum’s admission desk to gain free general entry to Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum and its exhibits. One bus pass/ticket is required per adult. 

Below is the list of accepted bus passes/tickets: 

• CityLink Day Pass – $3 per pass 

Offers unlimited fixed route rides for one complete service day 

• CityLink 30-Day Pass – $40 per pass 

Offers unlimited fixed route rides for 30 consecutive service days 

• CityLift Ticket – $2 per ticket 

Offers one ride on the paratransit service and this service requires eligibility to ride 

• CountyLink/CAUSE Ticket – $6 per ticket 

Offers one ride on the rural transportation service and this service requires that a trip begin or end in the rural part of Peoria County 

• CityLink Benefit Access Card – Valid and up-to-date  

Offers transportation for those individuals who do not have the functional capability to use the fixed-route system 

The Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum is located at 2218 N Prospect Rd, Peoria, IL 61603. There is close access to the museum on the #12 Heights CityLink fixed routes. Current admission rates for the PlayHouse are $10.50 for ages 1-64, $9.50 for active military, first responders and seniors 65+, and $4.00 for families with WIC or LINK cards. The PlayHouse is open Wednesday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday from 12:00 p.m. through 5:00 p.m., and Tuesday for members only from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. For more information on the Peoria PlayHouse Children’s Museum, please call 309-323-6900 or visit peoriaplayhouse.org.  

There will also be a free entry opportunity for CityLink, CityLift, CountyLink and Benefit Access passengers at the Peoria Zoo in August, the Caterpillar Visitors Center in October, and the Peoria Riverfront Museum in December. More information on these partnerships will be shared later in the year. 

Monthly Health Tip – Reasons Why Too Much Sugars Is Bad For You  

Added sugar is fine in small amounts, but too much is linked to weight gain, acne, and a higher risk of type 2 diabetes and heart disease. Dietary guidelines suggest keeping added sugar under 10% of daily calories, yet U.S. adults average about 17 teaspoons per day. Cut added sugar by choosing whole, unprocessed foods, avoiding sugar-sweetened drinks, and checking labels on surprising sources like sauces and nut butters.