Story Published:
Mar 17, 2008 at 2:05 PM CST
Story Updated:
Mar 17, 2008 at 8:26 PM CST
Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich's program that gives free rides to senior citizens on public transportation is underway in Peoria.
It's part of a contentious deal between the governor and state lawmakers to fund Chicago area mass transit.
All senior citizens 65 years old and over can now ride the City Link Buses for free. But not everybody is utilizing this service.
Rider Helen Breweur said, "As long as I can pay for it I want to."
Jackie Jackson, City Link Customer Service Representative, said, "There are some seniors who say they are eligible for them however they want to pay their fare. I guess they figure in their way they are helping out the other people how aren't able to pay their fares so if they want to pay their fare that's fine but the majority of them are very happy to not have to pay that."
Minnie Deffenbaugh says she will save a lot of money every month now that she can ride the buses for free. She says she purchases two 20 ride passes every month.
She said, "9 dollars a ticket so 18 dollars for two bus tickets because you get 20 rides."
But now Deffenbaugh and other seniors can ride on any bus as many times as they want for free.
"I like that it's saving me money."
All seniors need is a form of identification hat verifies the person's age.
Monday, Mar 17 at 4:45 PM bob lansdale wrote ...
i think that seniors getting free bus rides and 10% discount and restraunts is bull why should they get it because the didnot die! wheres my discount for being young ! i should be able to ride the bus for free because i work hard and not collect ssi because i didnot die !