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i <br /> r <br /> Mass Transit Memorandum <br /> No. 093008-1 <br /> September 30, 2008 <br /> TO: Honorable Mayor Michael T. Carrigan and City Council Members <br /> FROM: John A. Smith, Interim City Manager <br /> Paul McChancy, Mass Transit Administrato��� <br /> SUBJECT: Free Bus Rides for People with Disabilities <br /> SUMMARY Staff recommends that Council adopt a Resolution to approve free <br /> RECOMMENDATION: bus rides for people with disabilities who are enrolled in the State <br /> Department on Aging's Circuit Breaker program, beginning on <br /> October 24, 2008. <br /> BACKGROUND: Governor Blagojevich recently signed legislation that provides <br /> free rides on all fixed route transit systems, beginning on October <br /> 24, 2008, for people with disabilities who are enrolled in the State <br /> Department on Aging's Circuit Breaker program. People with <br /> disabilities who are not enrolled in the Circuit Breaker program <br /> would continue to pay$0.35 per bus ride, and Operation Uplift <br /> riders would continue to pay$1.50 per ride. <br /> Attached is the letter that was sent to all current program enrollees <br /> (about 112,000 statewide) in the Circuit Breaker program. Also <br /> attached is an enlarged copy of a postcard the State will mail soon <br /> to verify the person's eligibility for free bus rides for 2008. The <br /> disabled rider would present this card to the Transit Systein to receive <br /> the required Transit ID card. Since the Circuit Breaker program <br /> requires annual enrollment, based on annual income, a new ID card <br /> will be required each year. In the future, the State Department on <br /> Aging will issue their verification cards much earlier in the year, as <br /> each person is enrolled in the program. The Governor's office has <br /> notified transit systems that they may extend the period for free rides <br /> beyond the calendar year, but this is not required. <br /> POTENTIAL No known objection. <br /> OBJECTION: <br /> STAFF REFERENCE: Paul McChancy, Mass Transit Administrator <br /> BUDGET/TIME The amount of bus fares that will be lost annually is not known. <br /> IMPLICATIONS: Staff estimates the loss of revenue at $30,000 to $40,000 per year. <br />� <br />