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CTA Gets Behind Plan For Seniors To Ride Free

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Jan 11, 2008 11:50 am US/Central

CTA Gets Behind Plan For Seniors To Ride Free

But Not Everyone Agrees With Plan

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CBS) ― Gov. Rod Blagojevich says the only way he will sign a bill that would raise sales taxes to fund mass transit is if seniors are allowed to ride free.

As CBS 2's Mike Parker reports, both Chicago and Regional Transit Authority officials have gotten behind the idea.

The Illinois House on Thursday approved transportation funding bill that would fund the CTA with a tax hike, by a vote of 62-51. The state Senate approved it 30-25 earlier in the day.

Under the bill, additional funding would be generated by raising Chicago area sales taxes, by 0.25 percent in Cook County and 0.5 percent in the collar counties.

The real estate transfer tax in the City of Chicago would also rise.

But the governor now plans to use his amendatory veto powers to require that senior citizens 65 and older do not have to pay to ride public trains or buses in Illinois. The House and Senate would have to approve such a change and neither chamber is scheduled to return to Springfield anytime this month, meaning another special session would be needed.

"It will make Illinois the first state in America where all of our senior citizens can take a bus or train and not have to pay for it," Blagojevich said.

"I'm particularly concerned about seniors who live on fixed incomes and who don't have the ability to absorb a higher sales tax without making cuts in other areas," Blagojevich added.

It's not clear what impact free rides for seniors would have on the overall mass transit system or, more importantly, whether Illinois lawmakers would go along with the governor's plan.

Senior citizens already get discounted fares for rides on trains and buses. Blagojevich said a senior using public transit twice a week could save more than $150 a year on Chicagoland buses and $400 annually on commuter trains. It would cost about $20 million a year.


"It will make Illinois the first state in America where senior citizens can take a bus or train and not have to pay for it," Blagojevich said


CTA President Huberman said the Chicago Transit Authority is prepared for what could be a flood of new senior riders on trains and buses. "We're ready," Huberman said.

"We would hope that would happen. We would love nothing more than seniors off the road and into transit," Huberman added.

As CBS 2's Rafael Romo reports, many seniors who use the CTA said Blaogojevich's provision would benefit them greatly.

"People need the CTA to get to work; I need it for shopping," said CTA rider Tina Gutowski. "I'm a senior citizen, so I cannot afford huge fare increases. My income isn't going up."

"I think that's a good thing. I think any senior; all seniors should ride for free," said another rider, George. "Sixty and over should ride for free, personally."

But other CTA customers say letting seniors ride for free is not a good policy, since many seniors can afford to use the CTA easily.

"I am 81 years old and appreciate that I pay only half fare on public transportation. That is enough of a reduction. To offer free rides is not a good idea in my opinion," Marilyn McClory wrote in an e-mail to CBS 2.

"Free rides could be offered to those who work for minimum wages or poverty stricken seniors. Many seniors have money because unlike many of the younger generation who spend, spend and never put money away for a rainy day can afford to pay for a ride on the transit systems in Illinois," wrote Ann, who also identified herself as a senior. "To have a blanket free ride for all seniors would put an addition burden for the workers who are having a bad time supporting themselves and families."

The CTA had been scheduled to raise fares to as much as $3.25, cut 81 bus routes, and lay off employees on Jan. 20.

CBS 2's Mike Parker and Rafael Romo contributed to this report.

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