Free Ride
You're looking at the title and thinking he's going to write about Edgar Winter. Maybe he's even dead? Naaa....I wouldn't do that. I am going to tell you that sometimes the system works. You just have to know how to work it and have a little patience. There really is a Free Ride if you play the right cards!!
It started back in November. I was complaining about CTA and Ventra, the new fare paying system. The person listening was surprised I was paying full fare. He said go down to the Regional Transportation Authority, get some forms, have your doctor fill them out with you and you can get a reduced fare card, which is half price rides.
I did all of that and earlier this month I received my half-priced Reduced Fare Permit card. I was really excited about it...no sarcasm...I really was. It saves $600 a year. So I was telling someone else about it and they immediately ruined my buzz. I hate when that happens. She said why didn't you go for the whole thing? I told her I didn't think I qualified. She laughed at me..." You have a disability. You have no income now. You're the face of the Free Ride program."
I told her to go do something anatomically impossible but she was right. So I spent the better part of a day running around getting shifted from one office to another, but eventually got everything I needed. Naturally my doctor was out of town but when he returned from vacation, he delivered. Filled out his form perfectly. I took it down to The Department of Aging...there really is such a place. It's staffed by people who look like George Burns, Lee Strasberg and Art Carney in "Going in Style". It took about an hour for them to process my application. I was told to check in 7-10 days. I checked today. YAHTZEE!!!
I printed out the certificate and off to the RTA office I went.
I figured this would take some time. I was wrong. Since I was the only one there, no line..no waiting. I showed the clerk my certificate. She asked my date of birth and we were off to the races. All my info was still in their system. She made a few changes, printed something for me to sign and we were done. Check the mail in 7-10 days and you'll have your new card. Ten minutes and out!!
Now I can ride the trains and buses that I'm always bitching for free....sigh! But more good news....the nice trains, METRA is also free!! What that means is let's say I want to go up North and listen to some guys play Blues on a Thursday night...FREE RIDE!!
Let's say I want to head out west and hang out with my sister...FREE RIDE!! Relax...it's just an example!!
Ahhh yes...welcome to the land of heated train cars and leather seats!!!
So Howie, I can hear you all asking, what's the downside? There is no downside, baby. For once having the hippy shakes and falling down being unable to get up has paid off!!
Sing along with me and Edgar...I know you all know the words...Come on and take a free ride....yeah,yeah,yeah yeah!!