* The Tribune explains the costs and benefits of the governor’s first in the nation plan to allow seniors to take free rides on mass transit throughout Illinois 24/7…
Those 65 and older who make two round trips a week on the CTA could save $176 a year if lawmakers give the legislation final approval next week.
Similarly, seniors who ride Metra trains twice a week could save about $405 a year and those riding Pace buses could save $156 a year, according to the estimates.
t was also unclear Thursday how much the free rides would cost transit agencies. RTA Executive Director Steve Schlickman said the governor told transit officials the revenue loss would be $15 million. But a spokeswoman for the governor put the loss at $19 million. Rebecca Rausch said this figure was “being conservative” and that the lower figure might be more accurate in the final calculation.
Pace estimated it would lose $3 million a year, and Metra said it would lose about $8 million. The CTA would not release an estimate.
Remember, however, that they’re getting a whole lot more money out of this bailout bill, so the impact is minimal.
* The Sun-Times points out that the Champaign-Urbana mass transit district already provides free rides…
Tom Costello, assistant managing director of the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, said the district started offering free rides to seniors six years ago as a way to cut costs on special service transit, vehicle trips for one or two people that are “incredibly expensive” to operate.
“It really created some level of mobility for seniors in town,” he said.
* I posted this yesterday, but I’ll do it again because it was buried under a whole lot of stuff. Here’s the explanation from the governor’s office on how much this plan will cost Downstate transit districts…
The bill that passed includes $50 million for downstate transit systems. The Governor’s amendatory veto will allow seniors anywhere in the state to ride for free. The total statewide cost of this change is approximately $20 million. The approximate cost for downstate transit (collectively) is about $1 million. So, $50 minus $1 million the cost of the program means downstate transit is still getting $49 million.
There are some slightly higher estimates out there, but these transit systems are getting free money from Chicago-area taxpayers, so they can hardly complain.
* The SJ-R had some senior reaction…
“Paying the 50-cent fare, that’s not a big deal with me,” she said as she stood on Fifth Street, waiting to board a bus. “But for some people, it is. I think the free fares for seniors is a great idea.” […]
“My 89-year-old aunt just moved in with me from up in the Chicago area,” she said. “We are looking forward to nice weather. The bus stop is only half a block from my house. My aunt’s in a wheelchair, and we can use the bus. That will be great.”
* And the Tribune had this…
Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) called the idea of giving seniors free rides ridiculous without establishing some income limits or other minimum qualifications. She suggested the plan would allow a 66-year-old partner in a prestigious law firm to ride free but require a fare from a “poor working mother struggling to get to work.”