Some seniors should pay for their rides

I'm writing in response to the Nov. 29 article titled, “Lawmakers talk about taking free transit rides from seniors.” I praise the lawmakers in the House committee who approved limiting free bus rides and train rides to seniors who make less than $27,600 annually. In my opinion, there is no rational basis for extending this proposal to more affluent seniors who have the funds to pay the federally mandated half-price for these public services. Public services cost money, and if Illinois offers free rides to seniors who have the wherewithal to pay for the services, these services are either going to become extinct or they are going to cost the younger population a lot more. Where is the fairness in that?

It may “be difficult for seniors to adjust to the change,” but this justification does not provide a rational reason for the proposal to include all seniors versus being limited to those seniors who really need the free rides. It would be difficult for the rest of the population to live without public transit or pay an increased rate for public transit simply because we want to give senior citizens, who have the ability to pay for the tickets, a “free ride.” All senior citizens get a federally mandated discount, so why don't we reserve the free tickets for those senior citizens who require public transportation, but cannot afford to pay for these services?

Jennifer Bauer

Arlington Heights