(a) In addition to its other duties and responsibilities, the Department of Human Services shall supervise the Senior Citizens Activities Transportation Program, which shall insure the availability of transportation for governmental and private, non-profit senior citizens organizations, programs and activities. The Commissioner of Human Services shall have the following duties and powers relative to senior citizens transportation:
(1) Maintaining a continuing review of transportation needs of existing programs for senior citizens in the Virgin Islands;
(2) Providing consultation to departments and agencies of the Government of the United States Virgin Islands and to non-profit senior citizens organizations which may be considering the inauguration of services, programs or facilities for which transportation will be required; and
(3) Establishing such policies by promulgation of rules and regulations as is necessary and proper to satisfy the transportation needs of the senior citizens programs and activities and the senior citizens activities of the Department of Human Services.
(4) Issuing senior citizen cards, disability identification cards and other forms of authorization required for benefits under subsection (c) and for other services and benefits provided under other programs.
(b) For the purpose of subsection (a):
(c) In addition to the transportation services provided for in subsection (a), a senior citizen as defined in subsection (b), or an individual with a disability may ride VITRAN fixed route services buses free of charge, upon presenting a senior citizen's card or other form of authorization issued by the Department of Human Services or a Real ID card issued in compliance with the Real ID Act of 2005, 49 U.S.C. § 30301 - Notes. For purposes of this section “an individual with a disability” means a person having a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities, including, caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working.