Good Evening, folks! We hope, tomorrow morning, bright and early, you'll still have Fond Memories of St. Patrick's Day, 2008!
Coincidentally, I heard the old 1970's Edgar Winter Group song, "Come On and Take A Free Ride," on the XM Satellite Radio 70's Channel on the way home from the office tonight. It would have been cliche to refer to it here - until I remembered that many of today's seniors might have fond memories of that great 1973 song from their youths!
THAT SONG WAS A HIT 35 YEARS AGO - many reading this post WEREN'T EVEN BORN YET! What a Reality Check - huh?
Today, March 17th, Illinois joined Pennsylvania as the only two states in the U.S. offering FREE Mass Transit Rides to those over the age of 65. With strongest transit usage in the Chicago Metro Area, many seniors were quite excited about the new program. For many who still work, the new law will save them many hundreds of dollars each year on commuting expense.
Others were a bit skeptical of the plan - thinking it "political window dressing".
Indeed, it was offered as a "peace offering" by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevichafter he very reluctantly approved an increased Sales Tax Package to help bail out Chicago-Area Mass Transit last January. Without new monies, CTA, METRA, and PACE Local Transit Agency officials were predicting massive service cuts, and big fare increases, for L, bus, and train riders here.
As part of the Transit Funding Package, the City of Chicago passed an increase of 40% to the Chicago Real Estate Transfer Tax. Effective April 1st, Chicago Home Sellers will pay an additional $3.00 per thousand of sales price to sell their home in the city - Chicago Home Buyers will continue to pay the long-standing $7.50/M Buyer's Transfer Tax. (See our posting on BlogChicagoHomes.com dated March 15th for more info).
A few transit riders today around Chicago found the plan mis-directed. They felt it should have targeted the poor, rather than any particular age group.
In any event, seniors now ride public transit FREE, in and around Chicago. Perhaps, now, that predicted $4.00 per gallon gas this summer will be somewhat less of a sting - for some!
Our Dean's Team Chicago Blog Center Post todayprovides more details on the "Seniors Ride Free" Plan here in and around Chicago. The link to Richard Wronski's article in today's Chicago Tribune provides relevant video and rider commentary as well.
DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
Dean
That is actually pretty cool for seniors. My hat is off to the CTA.
Sincerely
Tommy
Call me
Dean: So, next year, after I turn sixty-five... I can come up to Chicago, and get "taken for a ride." Hmmm... what a concept !
Actually, I think this is a great idea, expecially for seniors on modest fixed incomes. It can make all the difference in the world... the difference between becoming a recluse, and remaining active. I really applaud this program. Thanks for sharing.