Free transit ride for seniors doesn't apply to everyone

Belleville News-Democrat

March 26, 2008

The new program to give senior citizens a free ride on Metro and MetroLink has a catch in St. Clair County. Only some residents qualify for the benefit.

In St. Clair County, only seniors who live in townships within the transit district can ride free. In Madison County, all Illinois seniors ride free.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich instituted a mandatory 'seniors ride free' program that took effect March 17. The program applies to communities around the state that have large-scale mass transit systems.

According to Bill Grogan, managing director of the St. Clair County Transit District, each district throughout Illinois establishes its own rules for the program.

Certain townships within St. Clair County are not considered part of the transit district. And the money that helps maintain the transit system comes from an increased sales tax for the townships within the district.

'The transit district was set up in the early 1980s,' Grogan said. 'Certain townships are not a part of the district and therefore they do not pay our sales tax.'

Townships that are part of the district include: Belleville, Engelman, Shiloh Valley, Canteen, Lebanon, Smithton, Caseyville, Mascoutah, Stites, Stookey, O'Fallon, Centreville, East St. Louis, St. Clair and Sugarloaf.

Grogan said that even though some townships are not included in the free-fare program, the transit system does offer reduced fares for seniors and the disabled.

Some seniors, such as Allen Loyd, of Marissa, were excited about using the free fare to get around but were later disappointed to find they do not live within the St. Clair County transit district.

They're welcomed to ride free in Madison County, which handles the situation differently.

S.J. Morrison, director of marketing and planning for Madison County Transit, said that although certain townships are outside the transit district, all Illinois seniors ride free there.

'MCT offers free fare on fixed route buses with routes within Madison County to anyone 65 years or older with an Illinois license or Illinois state identification card even if they live outside of the transit district.' Morrison said. 'Non-Illinois seniors can ride MCT for a half-price fare.'

Morrison said there has been a positive response to the new ride free program.

'We started the program on Feb. 4 of this year,' Morrison said. 'And we have seen a 5 percent increase in ridership since last February.'

Contact reporter Angie Thomas at athomas@bnd.com or 239-2655.

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