Comments on: CTA to Possibly End Free Ride Program for Seniors http://www.nextstopstl.org/1283/cta-to-possibly-end-free-ride-program-for-seniors/ A Conversation About Transit Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:21:15 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: kelly http://www.nextstopstl.org/1283/cta-to-possibly-end-free-ride-program-for-seniors/comment-page-1/#comment-268 kelly Thu, 22 Oct 2009 15:47:41 +0000 http://www.nextstopstl.org/?p=1283#comment-268 Heck, yeah, it was irresponsible of Blagojevich (because it was HIM-I seem to recall his agreeing to the state budget as being contingent on the legislature agreeing to this perk)! People get used to this crap and see it as a right, when it should never have been done by a state in such financial trouble as Illinois in the first place! No wonder... I'm not just ranting to be ranting...the seniors in Missouri see this and wonder why it's not system-wide or for Missouri also. It was irresponsible all around. Heck, yeah, it was irresponsible of Blagojevich (because it was HIM-I seem to recall his agreeing to the state budget as being contingent on the legislature agreeing to this perk)! People get used to this crap and see it as a right, when it should never have been done by a state in such financial trouble as Illinois in the first place! No wonder…

I’m not just ranting to be ranting…the seniors in Missouri see this and wonder why it’s not system-wide or for Missouri also. It was irresponsible all around.

]]> By: RTBones http://www.nextstopstl.org/1283/cta-to-possibly-end-free-ride-program-for-seniors/comment-page-1/#comment-258 RTBones Tue, 20 Oct 2009 19:38:15 +0000 http://www.nextstopstl.org/?p=1283#comment-258 While I am not sure I agree with free rides (reduced fare, absolutely, but I am not sure I agree with free), I agree with Suzanne that it is irresponsible for lawmakers require the CTA to promote such a program without providing a method for the CTA to sustain it. The rides may be "free" but there is still a cost associated with providing them. While I am not sure I agree with free rides (reduced fare, absolutely, but I am not sure I agree with free), I agree with Suzanne that it is irresponsible for lawmakers require the CTA to promote such a program without providing a method for the CTA to sustain it. The rides may be “free” but there is still a cost associated with providing them.

]]> By: Suzanne http://www.nextstopstl.org/1283/cta-to-possibly-end-free-ride-program-for-seniors/comment-page-1/#comment-257 Suzanne Tue, 20 Oct 2009 16:36:58 +0000 http://www.nextstopstl.org/?p=1283#comment-257 The program was a good idea in theory. But the lawmakers in Springfield need to realize that just because they want to give away free rides - doesn't make them free. It was irresponsible to promote a free ride that could not be sustained by the CTA. The program was a good idea in theory. But the lawmakers in Springfield need to realize that just because they want to give away free rides – doesn’t make them free. It was irresponsible to promote a free ride that could not be sustained by the CTA.

]]> By: Courtney http://www.nextstopstl.org/1283/cta-to-possibly-end-free-ride-program-for-seniors/comment-page-1/#comment-255 Courtney Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:08:52 +0000 http://www.nextstopstl.org/?p=1283#comment-255 Jimmy, The action will require action in Springfield...some sort of restriction on the mandate is what is most likely if action is taken. Any restriction can be specific to CTA (through language requirements) or statewide. You are right to point out that the State controls any changes to the program, but the CTA is likely to put heavy pressure (with a tone of desperation) on lawmakers if they deem it is the necessary step to take. Jimmy,

The action will require action in Springfield…some sort of restriction on the mandate is what is most likely if action is taken. Any restriction can be specific to CTA (through language requirements) or statewide. You are right to point out that the State controls any changes to the program, but the CTA is likely to put heavy pressure (with a tone of desperation) on lawmakers if they deem it is the necessary step to take.

]]> By: Jimmy Z http://www.nextstopstl.org/1283/cta-to-possibly-end-free-ride-program-for-seniors/comment-page-1/#comment-254 Jimmy Z Mon, 19 Oct 2009 16:30:21 +0000 http://www.nextstopstl.org/?p=1283#comment-254 I don't think CTA has that option. I'm pretty sure that it was an unfunded mandate from the state legislature that will require action in Springfield. I don’t think CTA has that option. I’m pretty sure that it was an unfunded mandate from the state legislature that will require action in Springfield.

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