Mass transit riders in Peoria, Ill. are giving new meaning to the phrase "curbside appeal." With the flash of a colorful photo ID, a passenger can alert a CityLink bus driver from the curb that s/he requires assistance or extra time to board the bus. "The photo ID project has taken off beyond our wildest dreams," says James Reinhardt, special services coordinator at CityLink. What began as a photo ID program for the quick and easy identification of disabled passengers has elicited communitywide curiosity and appeal.

CityLink chose IDenticard from a number of security identification and access control companies to provide the imaging system and equipment for its new photo identification program. CityLink selected IDenticard's IVIS Plus 500 digital imaging system. "The IDenticard district sales manager saw to it that IDenticard far surpassed the other companies we were considering in terms of follow-up, customer support, and conveying that IDenticard cared about assuring our success," said Reinhardt.

When considering a professional ID badge that would identify passengers with special needs, CityLink also required badges that were reasonably priced, easy to produce and difficult to duplicate. The IDenticard IVIS Plus 500 fit the bill, providing the right software, the right card stock, the technical know-how, and the customer support in place to make it work.

Prior to implementing the IVIS Plus system, CityLink had been issuing paper passes to a variety of passengers who qualified for discounted rates or complementary passes (i.e., those with disabilities, seniors and company employees). Sadly, others took advantage of the company by illegally duplicating and selling discount passes, which the transit company normally provided free of charge.

"Thanks the the IVIS Plus system, we now have a virtually foolproof process in place to create a variety of special ID badges," said Reinhardt. CityLink has decided to color code its badges, so drivers can immediately recognize a passenger's category according to the badge's color. Once the transit company began issuing the badges, "people came out of the woodwork to request them," said Reinhardt, "even if they didn't need them. They liked how the badges looked and didn't want to be left out." Reinhardt said the company also has noted a reduction in the number of cards being reported lost.

According to Reinhardt, CityLink's ID badge program is a simple example of good customer service. "In this age of heightened security, people seem to feel more secure when carrying an ID card," said Reinhardt. "It gives them a sense of ownership. It says they belong to a specific group. And our passengers are eager and proud to display their cards."


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