I've taken to riding the city bus since returning to Illinois State University, in January.

 My first day on the Green A, as I stepped aboard, I asked: "Is there a student discount?"

"No," said the driver.

"It's a buck, right?"

 "Yes."

So, I've continued this commute on most school days, saving myself money on parking -- or sparing me  a long walk from free street parking near campus. But, I noticed that some students were getting on, flashing something, and paying nothing.

I initially assumed they must have the passes, which discount the cost for frequent riders.

Yesterday, sitting near the front, I very clearly spotted a student boarding, flashing her ISU ID, and not paying. I asked for an explanation. The driver said students  displaying an ID ride free. 

"I'd have sworn I asked a driver, last month, if there was a student discount, and he said no."

"Technically, there's not a student discount. They ride free if they show an ID. ISU pays us through student fees."

 "Well, I would think  'free' would be a discount. But that's just me. I'll know next time."

"You still have to show an ID. You can't just say you have one."

Literalists.