from the Dodge for Comptroller campaign
As a Metra Board member and Republican candidate for Illinois Comptroller, Jim Dodge applauds the agreement reached with legislative leaders regarding funding and in particular, supports ending the blanket free ride programs for seniors.
“As I stated at a recent Metra Board meeting, one of the reasons we had to make fare adjustments for other customers was the loss of revenue because of this program. Seniors have always had the ability to get reduced fares at Metra, and they will be able to do so again,” Dodge said.
“It’s important to know that this last-minute political ploy by our former governor created serious revenue problems for all three transit agencies: Metra, Pace, and CTA,” Dodge said.
He reiterated that given the budget problems affecting all public agencies, it’s the right decision to end this program. “It made no sense that affluent seniors who might still be working could ride for free, while everyone else had to shoulder their load. Illinois cannot and should not go along with budget gimmicks such as this one that was aimed at propping up an unpopular political figure,” Dodge said.
