(a) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 60 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 95th General Assembly and until subsection (b) is implemented, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Board shall be provided without charge to all senior citizens of the Metropolitan Region (as such term is defined in 70 ILCS 3615/1.03) aged 65 and older, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Board.
     (b) Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, no later than 180 days following the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 96th General Assembly, any fixed route public transportation services provided by, or under grant or purchase of service contracts of, the Board shall be provided without charge to senior citizens aged 65 and older who meet the income eligibility limitation set forth in subsection (a-5) of § 4 of the Senior Citizens and Persons with Disabilities Property Tax Relief Act, under such conditions as shall be prescribed by the Board. The Department on Aging shall furnish all information reasonably necessary to determine eligibility, including updated lists of individuals who are eligible for services without charge under this Section. After an initial eligibility determination is made, an individual‘s eligibility for free services shall automatically renew every 5 years after receipt by the Authority of a copy of the individual’s government-issued identification card validating Illinois residency. Nothing in this Section shall relieve the Board from providing reduced fares as may be required by federal law.