Some senior unable to get IDs for free rides

Seniors travelling on the CTA and Metra have been getting free rides in recent weeks.

It's the new program Governor Rod Blagojevich came up with as part of a transit budget deal.

But some seniors have complained it's taking a long time for them to get the RTA ID cards needed to take advantage of the rides.

During an RTA meeting Thursday, staff and board members defended their response to the demand for IDs. Board member Judy Baar Topinka ran for governor against Blagojevich.

"I think it should be noted you didn't even know this was coming, this whole bill," she said.

The RTA says about 120,000 seniors have applied for senior ID cards since the new program was announced.