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| Free Rides Gone for Some Seniors |
(IRN)-The total impact of loss of free rides for senior citizens hasn't been fully measured by Illinois' numerous public transportation agencies.
Bob Gallo, director of the AARP of Illinois, says it is still too soon to know the impact if the law is enacted but does acknowledge that many AARP members take advantage of the free rides program. Still he says that AARP wasn't exactly behind the plan that was put in place by then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
"We never supported the free rides program as it was originally passed during the Blagojevich administration," Gallo said. "We felt that it was being rushed through. It wasn't looking at the realities that were being faced by public transportation as far as the potential to eliminate bus routes and the frequency of train schedules which really would have effected everyone in the end and I think that's really what's coming to bear…that's what they're finding out right now."
Gallo adds that he is curious to know if transit agencies will reinstate reduced fares for senior citizens.
While Chicago-area senior citizens will feel the most pain in the pocketbook with rail and bus rides costing $2.25 per one-way cash trip, others across the state will fare better. Jeff Logan, general manager of the Bloomington-Normal Public Transit Service, says fares are $1 for a one-way cash trip on one of their 28 buses. While he can’t say exactly how many senior citizens ride for free, he says a good number of them that do. Logan says his board would consider looking at reduced fares for senior citizens.
The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District has been offering those 65 and older free rides since 2001, many years before the state mandated free rides, says marketing manager Jan Kijowski. She says about 10 percent of the transit district's 10 million annual riders pay no fare.
Governor Pat Quinn has been reluctant to get rid of free rides. He may or may not sign the bill into law.
(Source: Illinois Radio Network) |
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| 01 14 11 by Newsroom |
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