02/22/08
CTA to Refund Balance on Senior Reduced Farecards Beginning March 17
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) is encouraging senior citizens who currently use reduced-fare media to use up any remaining value on their cards and limit the amount of additional value loaded onto their farecards. The move is in preparation for free rides for seniors that begin Monday, March 17 on CTA, Metra and Pace.
Seniors who already have an RTA Reduced-Fare Senior Permit do not need to reapply in order to be eligible for the free rides. Seniors who use Magnetic Strip Senior Permits or the Smart Card Senior Permits will need to keep their cards in order to be eligible for the free ride program.
?Whether you are a current RTA Reduced-Fare Permit holder or a senior citizen interested in riding free, it's our intention to make this transition as convenient as we can for our senior customers," said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Carole Brown.
Beginning March 17 through July 1, 2008, seniors who have an RTA Reduced-Fare Senior Permit will be eligible for refunds for the remaining value on their reduced farecards. Refunds will be available in person at CTA headquarters in cash or customers can come to CTA headquarters to request a refund be mailed to them by check. Customers requesting checks will need to fill out a request form and should allow 3-4 weeks for checks to arrive.
For the convenience of seniors, CTA is also coordinating with the Chicago Department of Senior Services so refund applications payable by check will be available at Regional Senior Centers between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on the following days:
Monday, March 17
Central West Regional Center
2102 West Ogden
(312) 746-5300
Tuesday, March 18 and Tuesday, March 25
Southeast (Atlas) Regional Center
1767 East 79th
(312) 747-0189
Wednesday, March 19 and Wednesday, March 26
Southwest Senior Center
6117 South Kedzie
(312) 744-0440
Thursday, March 20 and Friday, March 28
Northeast (Levy) Senior Center
2019 West Lawrence
(312) 744-0784
Monday, March 24
Renaissance Court
77 East Randolph
(312) 744-4550
Thursday, March 27 and Thursday, April 3
Northwest (Copernicus) Senior Center
3160 North Milwaukee
(312) 744-6681
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 reduced-fare media 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.
?We are preparing to make the move from a reduced-fare system for seniors to a free-ride system," said CTA President Ron Huberman. "We welcome the opportunity to provide this convenience to our current senior citizens and to introduce new riders to the convenience of public transportation."
Seniors who do not currently have permits 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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