Seniors can expect free rides, rebates from fare cards

SPRINGFIELD -- Only $6.75 remains on Justine Williams' reduced fare card, but the 75-year-old values her every cent and wants the money back.

"Nobody just throws money away," Williams, a frequent CTA rider, told the Daily Herald from the Vincennes Senior Center on Chicago's South Side.

On Monday, when a free ride program beings, Williams and thousands of other senior bus and train riders who paid for discount cards could be eligible for hundreds of thousands of dollars in rebates from the region's transit agencies.

The CTA alone recently calculated that it owes half a million dollars to seniors who bought cards but will now be able to ride for free. That amount, however, has decreased daily as seniors continue to use the cards leading up to the free program.

The free rides come courtesy of Gov. Rod Blagojevich. In order to avoid "doomsday" fare hikes, route cuts and massive layoffs, he signed off on a regional sales tax increase -- despite a contrary campaign pledge -- if lawmakers let people age 65 and older ride the buses and trains for free.

Metra officials recently encouraged seniors to purchase a 10-ride card or one-way tickets until the free ride program begins but plan to reimburse seniors once it does.

Pace, on the other hand, has no current plans to reimburse seniors. A spokesman for the suburban bus agency said it did track the amount that would be owed and so far hadn't fielded questions from seniors about possible refunds.

"We're not planning to issue any because we feel there has been an adequate amount of time for passengers to become familiar with the free ride program and make arrangements," said Patrick Wilmot, a Pace spokesman. "Now, there is the possibility with someone with extenuating circumstances, in that case, we would welcome their call."

For some seniors, like Dorothy Ferguson of Chicago's West Side, who lives on a fixed income and uses public transportation almost daily, the free ride program couldn't start at a better time. Ferguson said she has two transit cards with cash remaining on them. And while she's unsure of the balance, Ferguson plans to seek a refund.

"It's important that I get my money back," she said. "Every penny counts, and I certainly don't have any to give to the CTA."