Here’s what I’ve recently written about expanding free public transit in Illinois. The Chicago Sun-Times reports Governor Rod Blagojevich signed into law a major new expansion of free public transit yesterday for low income people who have disabilities. To qualify individuals must enroll (or already be enrolled in) Circuit Breaker - for information see www.illinois.gov/transit or call 800-624-2459.
I don’t know the particulars, but between the law providing free public mass transit for seniors and this law, I wonder if municipalities like Naperville and Lisle will have a little bit more money left over from their “Ride DuPage” attempt to provide mass transit for seniors and people who have disabilities. Actually what we see happening at the state level is what I proposed long ago as a mass transit solution - ‘mainstreaming’ these special rides with normal mass transit to the benefit of all. It’s nice to start seeing it happen.
[Additionally note: I was remiss in not crediting the General Assembly for this too - “Senate Bill 1920, sponsored by Sen. Susan Garrett and Rep. Kathleen Ryg, received strong bipartisan support in the Illinois Senate, where it passed 55-1-0 and in the Illinois House where it passed 95-15-0.” They deserve a lot of credit for doing the right thing.]
Comments 2
DEAR READERS-
AS I AGREE, DUPAGE COUNTY NEEDS MASS TRANSPORTATION FROM TOWN TO TOWN. IF WE CAN AFFORD THIS. HOWEVER, WITH THE GOVERNOR FORCING THE RTA AND OTHERS TO GIVE FREE RIDES, PRICES GO UP FOR THE REST OF US.
IN MY OPINION, AS A DEMOCRAT, THE GOV HAS NO BUSINESS DICTATING INTO PRIVATE COMPANIES AFFAIRS. THAT IS WHAT RUSSIA OR CHINA DO TO THEIR PEOPLE. WE ARE BETTER THAN THAT.
ROBERT JONES
Posted 31 Aug 2008 at 2:24 am ¶So, Robert Jones, you must be opposed to taxpayers be forced to pay for the costs of the autosprawl system from which certain carbon and auto companies are profiting? Oil and auto companies profit while we pay for: oil/gas wars, collisions and injuries, CO2 pollution, drainage problems (floods and low aquifers), traffic congestion…. etc.
Posted 08 Sep 2008 at 8:04 am ¶Post a Comment