February 25, 2010

Springfield, IL – Limiting free rides on buses and trains to the state’s lowest-income seniors could save an estimated $37 million said State Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), who has sponsored legislation to curtail Illinois’ free rides for seniors program.

“There is no reason why high-income seniors should ride on public transportation for free, while working men and women across Illinois pick up the tab,” Radogno said. “Income-based limits are a reasonable way to ensure the state’s poorest senior citizens will continue to benefit from the program, while also saving much-needed revenue.”

The senator explained that House Bill 4654 would tie the free rides for seniors program to the same qualifications that are in place for the state’s Circuit Breaker program. Citizens who are 65 or older living in a one-person household with an annual income of $27,610 or less, or a two-person household that brings in less than $34,635, would qualify for free transportation on Metra, PACE and the CTA.

Radogno noted that even if a senior citizen exceeds the income limits for a free ride, they will still only be required to pay half price for the fare.

“It’s not helping our seniors—or anyone for that matter—if their routes are eliminated and their services are slashed. An estimated 30 percent of senior citizens currently enrolled in the program will continue to ride free of charge, and the remaining seniors will benefit from a half-price discount—the same discount they received before the free rides program was implemented,” said Radogno.

Illinois’ Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has consistently struggled to stay on top of its financial obligations, and RTA authorities say the free rides for seniors program creates an additional burden. Talks of eliminating routes, layoffs and fare hikes have once-again forced lawmakers to reexamine the controversial free rides program, which was advanced by former Gov. Rod Blagojevich in 2008.

Sen. Radogno sponsored similar legislation last year, but it was stalled by the Democrat majority in committee.

House Bill 4654 has been approved by the Illinois House and now awaits consideration by the Illinois Senate.

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