Chicago putting brakes on free transit rides for seniors

Seniors in Chicago who have enjoyed free transit rides will begin paying half fare in September. The change is expected to raise $30 million annually. From the Chicago Tribune: 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.]]>