Minnesota's disabled veterans are now able to use public transportation throughout Minnesota at no charge beginning Thursday. The transit benefit was passed by the legislature and signed into law by Gov. Tim Pawlenty this year.

Disabled veterans simply need to show the proper identification card to bus operators of any fixed-route service in the state, including Metro Transit and suburban transit providers in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area as well as regular-route services in Duluth, St. Cloud, Rochester, Moorhead, East Grand Forks and Mankato. The benefit will also be available on the Hiawatha light-rail line and on the Northstar commuter rail line, which will begin operations late this year between Big Lake, Minn., and downtown Minneapolis.

There are approximately 50,000 disabled veterans in Minnesota. The free ride benefit also extends to a personal care attendant who may be assisting a disabled veteran as they travel.