Officials from the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) released data yesterday showing that seniors are really taking advantage of the "free ride" program signed into law two years ago. Although a University of Illinois-Chicago study last year predicted that the number of free rides on the CTA would rise by 1 million this year, the agency has already provided 2.5 million more free rides during the first six months of 2010 than in the same period last year. The Regional Transportation Authority says the program costs the cash-strapped transit agencies about $68 million annually.

The Sun-Times jumped on the State Senate today for failing this spring to approve a House bill that would have limited the subsidy to low-income seniors, saving the RTA $36 million in revenue. The legislature probably deserves that scorn. We'd also like to see pundits and reporters make hay over some structural reforms transit advocates have fought for that could save a lot of money while improving service for local residents who want to see the system improved and expanded. Those reforms include altering the CTA's rigid funding restrictions, taking into account performance measures like safety and oil use when making surface transportation spending decisions, and establishing a transit rainy day fund to protect against service cuts. Local residents are willing to pay for those improvements, too.