Lawmakers limit free ride program

SPRINGFIELD — The General Assembly Monday hit the brakes on the program that lets seniors ride mass transit for free, voting to limit it to low-income seniors and people with disabilities.

The new requirements could save tens of millions of dollars for the Regional Transit Authority, which estimated the free rides cost as much as $78 million annually for more than 400,000 seniors.

Sen. Donne Trotter, a Chicago Democrat who sponsored the legislation, said reforms were made to make sure the service is used only by those who need it and stop people from “taking advantage of the system.”

The Senate approved the measure 54-2 Monday. Sen. Ron Sandack, a Downers Grove Republican, was the only suburban lawmaker to vote against it.

Should Quinn sign the legislation, the RTA would have six months to phase out all free-ride cardholders. Those who meet the requirements of the Circuit Breaker Program — a state service that offers exemptions for low-income, 65-year-old seniors and disabled people — could reapply.

RTA spokeswoman Diane Palmer said the agency would try to make the transition as easy as possible for current cardholders who still qualify under the stricter requirements. But no process has been developed yet with the Department of Aging, which would determine eligible recipients.

It's not all bad news for free riders who don't meet the new requirements. They still get to ride for half price, because of federal law, Palmer said.

Rep. Suzie Bassi has spearheaded an effort to end the Seniors Ride Free program ever since former Gov. Rod Blagojevich approved the program in January 2008.

The Palatine Republican said she hopes Gov. Pat Quinn will agree with the General Assembly to help save money.

“There is no free ride if you don't have a bus,” Bassi said. “This is the right thing to do.”