Free rides for most seniors to end Sept. 1

The vast majority of the 440,000 senior citizens who registered to receive free transit rides over the last three years will lose the privilege on Sept. 1, officials said Wednesday.

That's when current senior free-rides permits on the CTA, Metra and Pace will be deactivated
As a result, the revenue from fareboxes is expected to increase by a total of $30 million annually at the three transit agencies, officials estimated.

Only about 25,000 seniors enrolled in the current free-rides program are expected to still qualify for free transportation on mass transit when the changes implementing a financial means test take effect, according to the Regional Transportation Authority, which administers the program.

An additional number of low-income seniors, estimated at more than 150,000 individuals, who didn't sign up previously would be eligible to participate, too, officials said. The RTA will mail a letter and an application to those seniors this month explaining how they may obtain a free-rides permit.

The rest of the 415,000 seniors who have received free rides since March 2008 would once again pay reduced fares of about half the basic full fare. The reduced-fare CTA 30-day pass, good for unlimited rides, would remain at $35, officials said.

"I'm 80 years old, and I don't mind paying a reduced fare," said Laura Yancey, of Chicago, who said she often uses her free-rides card on up to seven CTA buses in a single day.

Yancey said she was "very happy'' when former Gov. Rod Blagojevich created the free rides. But "at the same time I felt kind of guilty because there are younger people who are not seniors who are also low-income,'' she said.

The elimination of most free rides follows Gov. Pat Quinn's decision in February to sign legislation limiting free rides to only low-income senior citizens, age 65 or older.

Replacement permits will be issued to seniors currently in the free-rides program who continue to qualify for free rides, as well as to seniors who on Sept. 1 will start paying reduced fares.

"Seniors do not have to reapply for either permit if they are currently in the free-rides program," said Joseph Costello, RTA executive director.

Under the new law, seniors receiving free rides must fall under income caps set by the Illinois Department on Aging's Circuit Breaker program. To qualify, a single senior would have an annual gross income of $27,610 or less. A household of two would have to have an annual gross income of less than $36,635. For households of three or more, the annual gross income would have to be $45,657 or less. Income levels from 2010 will be used to determine eligibility, officials said.

The free rides cost the CTA, Metra and Pace $38 million to $116 million last year, according to a report from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Seniors paying the reduced fares starting in September will be able to put money on their new cards to use on trains and buses, officials said. Money can be added to the cards at CTA fare-card vending machines.

Metra riders must display their cards to Metra ticket agents or conductors to pay half fares.

The RTA said that starting Wednesday, new applications for the seniors ride free program will be means-tested with the Circuit Breaker program. Individuals who qualify for the Circuit Breaker program will receive a new senior "Circuit Ride Free" card.  All others will receive a "Reduced Fare" card.

The RTA will stop processing replacement cards for the current seniors ride free program on July 1 to avoid sending duplicate cards.

The agency intends to start mailing new magnetic stripe cards on Aug. 1 for fixed-route service for all seniors enrolled in the seniors ride free program. Depending on their eligibility, seniors will receive either a Circuit Ride Free card or a Reduced Fare card.

Seniors who haven't received a replacement permit by Aug. 15 should call the RTA at 312-913-3110, officials said.

Individuals can apply for the Illinois Circuit Breaker program by going to http://www.cbrx.il.gov or calling 800-624-2459.

The RTA will conduct 12 public hearings during the weeks of June 6 and June 13 in the six-county area to explain the program changes.  A schedule is posted at http://www.rtachicago.com.