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RTA could have to make fare cards for seniors

Posted April 07, 2011 12:00 am

Daily Herald Staff

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House Thursday approved legislation that would force Chicago-area transit agencies to develop universal cards for seniors to use while riding buses and trains.

The program that let people over age 65 ride transit for free will expire in the coming months. Soon, only seniors below certain income levels will be able to ride for free.

The legislation approved Thursday requires the Regional Transit Authority to make cards for both seniors who can ride for free and those who can’t. The cards would be accepted on Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority.

The legislation now moves to the Senate.

Even though not every senior will be allowed to ride for free, all seniors can ride transit systems for half price under federal law.

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