The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) reminds senior citizens enrolled in the RTA Senior Free Ride program that the deadline for refunds for the remaining balances for unexpired reduced-fare media cards is Tuesday, July 1, 2008.
Customers must have an RTA Senior Free Ride permit in order to be eligible for the refund. The refund value of monthly passes will be prorated; refund value for other eligible fare media will be given at-cost. Expired cards are not eligible for refund.
Customers can check the remaining balance of their cards at any of the passenger information units near the Customer Assistance kiosks in most CTA rail stations; by calling 1-888-YOUR-CTA (1-888-968-7282) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. - 8 p.m.; or by visiting the CTA Sales Center at 567 W. Lake St., Monday through Friday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Cash or check refunds can be received only by visiting CTA headquarters in person by July 1. Customers who wish to receive a check-issued refund by mail will need to fill out a request form and should allow up to four weeks for checks to arrive.
The senior free-ride program went into effect on March 17. Since then, CTA has issued nearly $100,000 in refunds to 6,000 seniors. The highest amount refunded was $1,091.80 and the lowest amount was $0.05.
Seniors who do not currently have a permit but are interested in participating in the Senior Free Ride Program need to apply for the RTA-issued permit. To be eligible for the permit, citizens must be age 65 or older and live in the RTA service region that includes Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties. For more information, individuals can call the RTA Travel Information Center at 312-836-7000 or TTY: 312-836-4949.
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