Free ride program working

The first day of free public transit for seniors produced about 5,000 Pace riders March 17, administrators said Wednesday. That's been the average ever since and there's potential for up to 12,000 daily riders, officials predicted. Giving seniors free rides was part of a mass transit bailout plan passed by state lawmakers in January.

The annual cost to the agency could range from $1.5 million to $2.5 million. Prior to the new policy, about 1,000 people a day took advantage of reduced fare prices. But since reduced fares were offered to seniors and people with disabilities, Pace planners cannot provide exact comparisons as to how many seniors rode buses before and after March 17.