MCT CONSIDERS CHANGES to SENIOR FREE RIDE PROGRAM MCT Will Host Public Meetings June 7-8, 2011
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE For more information, contact: Jerry Kane Madison County Transit (618) 797-4600 MCT CONSIDERS CHANGES TO SENIOR FREE RIDE PROGRAM MCT will Host Public Meetings June 7-8, 2011 GRANITE CITY, ILL., MAY 16, 2011… Madison County Transit (MCT) is hosting three meetings to solicit public comment on proposed changes to the Senior Free Ride Program for its fixed-route service. If approved, MCT will conform to Illinois Public Act 96-1527 and only provide free rides on its fixed route for seniors who qualify based on age and income level. The change would take effect in August 2011. In January 2008, the Illinois General Assembly approved former Governor Blagojevich’s amended Mass Transit Bill, which provided free rides on transit for Illinois residents, age 65 and up. In February of this year, Governor Quinn signed legislation to reform the Senior Free Rides program, limiting the program to only those seniors who earn less than $27,610 for a one-person household, $36,635 for a two-person household and $45,657 for a three-person household. MCT Public meeting dates, times and locations to discuss the changes are listed below: Tuesday, June 7 (2:00 – 3:00 p.m.) MCT Granite City Station Wednesday, June 8, (2:00 – 3:00 p.m.) MCT Alton Station Wednesday, June 8, (6:00 – 7:00 p.m.) MCT Edwardsville Station Comments at the public meetings will be summarized and presented to the MCT Board of Trustees for consideration. Individuals who cannot attend the meetings but would like to comment, should e-mail [email protected] or send a letter to: Madison County Transit, Attn: Senior Free Ride Comments, One Transit Way, PO Box 7500, Granite City, IL 62040. To be considered, all comments must be received by June 22, 2011 at 5:00 p.m. For additional information about MCT services, please call 618-931-7433, Option #3 or visit www.mct.org. Madison County Transit (MCT) provides multi-modal transportation services for Madison County, Illinois. MCT operates a fixed-route bus service, connecting to MetroLink; express weekday commuter service directly to and from downtown St. Louis; and seasonal express service to the Rams games and the Muny. For elderly and disabled residents who are unable to use the fixed-route buses, MCT provides complementary door to door service. MCT is also responsible for the construction and maintenance of more than 100 miles of bikeways that comprise the MCT Trails system, as well as overseeing RideFinders, the St. Louis region’s FREE carpooling and vanpooling program. # # # .