New RTA senior fare cards in the mail

New transit identification cards for seniors issued by the Regional Transportation Authority should be trickling into mailboxes this week.

The RTA began mailing two types of permits last month as it gears up for changes to the Seniors Ride Free program effective Sept. 1.

The state in February reformed the controversial free rides initiative so only low-income people age 65 and older, as opposed to all seniors, can use Pace, Metra or the CTA without paying.

As a result, new ID cards are being issued — Circuit Ride Free permits and Reduced Fare permits.

Reduced fares, available to seniors who don’t classify as low-income, vary depending on the transit agency. For example, a trip on Pace is 85 cents with a reduced fare compared to $1.75 regularly. Or, Metra’s 10-ride pass between Chicago and Zone E is $21.50 at the reduced rate compared to $36.55.

The new cards will be mailed to individuals with Senior Ride Free permits, which expire Sept. 1. The agency reviewed more than 440,000 existing ride free permits to determine who qualifies to use transit without paying.

If you are enrolled in the Senior Ride Free program and have not received a Reduced Fare or Circuit Ride Free replacement permit by Aug. 15, contact the RTA’s customer service center at (312) 913-3110.

Seniors who aren’t enrolled and want a reduced fare card should call the RTA customer service center for an application or visit the website RTAchicago.com for a list of 200 local registration centers. You can also visit the RTA customer service center at 165 N. Jefferson, Chicago. You’ll need to bring government identification and a 1½-inch-square photo.

Seniors eligible for free rides who haven’t enrolled with the RTA need to register with the Illinois Department on Aging Circuit Breaker program first. For information, call (800) 252-8966.

Individual seniors earning $27,610 annually or less, couples making $36,635 or less and households with $45,657 or less qualify for Circuit Ride Free cards.