Free Rides for Seniors End Today

By Chuck Sudo in News on Sep 1, 2011 2:38PM

Today is a new day of reckoning for seniors who rely on public transportation to move about the city. Free rides on CTA, Metra and Pace for all but the poorest of seniors ends today. The rollback will affect some 336,000 senior citizens.

It's a reversal months in the making, ever since the State Legislature voted to revoke the privilege in January. An investigation by the Better Government Association found abuses within the Seniors Ride Free program.

Only low-income seniors meeting the requirement of the state’s Circuit Breaker program will continue to ride free on the CTA with a valid RTA Circuit Ride Free Permit. All other seniors who don’t meet the income-eligibility requirements can ride the CTA at a reduced rate with a valid RTA Reduced Fare Permit. Seniors can pay their reduced fare four ways: the RTA Reduced Fare Permit, the CTA Reduced Fare Transit Card, the Reduced Fare 30 Day Pass and cash.

RTA said it's mailed out 80,000 Circuit Ride Free permits to seniors and approximately 336,000 Reduced Fare permits. They've also tripled the number of customer service reps at its call center for the expected influx of calls from angry seniors who are still unaware of the change. CTA and RTA personnel are also stationed at stations frequented more by seniors to make them aware of the changes and assist them in the new ways to pay.