Free transit available to Chicagoans with disabilities

Chicago Gov. Rod Blagojevich formally signed Senate Bill 1920, which provides free rides on all Pace, CTA and Metra fixed-route service buses to persons with disabilities who are registered for the state’s Circuit Breaker program and with the RTA.

The new law also adds Chicago’s Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities to the Pace board of directors.

“We’ve supported the concept of free rides for persons with disabilities throughout the discussion on this bill and we’re grateful to Gov. Blagojevich and the legislature for passing it,” said Pace Chairman of the Board Richard Kwasneski. “This improves mobility and access for many of the region’s residents who are most reliant on public transportation.”

The law gives the RTA 60 days to implement a system to register eligible riders, similar to the “Free Rides for Seniors” program that began in March.