I wouldn't have a problem with adding an income test, or your no-rush-hour proposal. I know a couple people who have the free pass, but are almost embarrassed about it (not embarrassed enough not to cash in though ;) ). They're seniors, but they're still working and making plenty and can pay their fares with ease.

Tell me. I have a friend in the UK who has more money than God (and hasn't ever spent a penny of it as far as I can tell). The last time I saw him he had passed the magic age (60 I think) and proudly showed me his free bus pass, looking like he'd won the lottery. Sad, actually, that there is no accounting for income level.

It has less to do with do-gooders and more to do with gutlessness. Seniors vote. @:-)

Does anyone know what it costs to do multiple transfers with PACE? I checked the route planner and it said $2.25 for 2 transfers but when I called I was told it would be $2 for a transfer which would be good for the first bus and the 2nd and then $1.75 for the 3rd. Can I tell the first bus driver I want 2 transfers and they charge me $.25 for each one? I don't quite understand...

I've gotten the passes ahead of time for my Chicago trips, and they are very easy and convenient plus they can be used for the EL and the city bus system.

Much easier than digging for exact change EVERY time!!!

No need to be scared of Chicago, but to get to your question.
I really do not know the answer - however if you start on a CTA bus, the charge is $2.00,($2.25 if starting on a train) then $.25 for the first transfer and no charge for the second transfer.

I rarely take PACE, but it seems as if you are starting on PACE and maybe others can help. PACE buses do not run too frequent and you may even be hard pressed to do 2 transfers on PACE within the time period.

You should know however, you really do not buy a transfer. You just get on the second bus within 2 hours and $.25 is deducted from your card. For the second transfer, you still insert your card (you have another half hour) and it reads $.00 charge.

You may or may not know this, but you can use your card multiple times for multiple passengers at a stop. For instance, if 3 of you are traveling, insert your card 3 times, and the 3 of you can board a bus, or the train turnstile will turn 3 times. Works for transfers to. I know there is a limit to the number of passengers this works for, but I am not sure of the number.

The limit is 7 passengers.

I'm pretty sure it only works for the first boarding, not transfers. Of course, I've never tried it. This is just what I remember reading.

Nope, works for transfers, too. The little card-reader screen will read (assuming $10 card and $2 bus fare):

$8.00 T2 for the first pax
$6.00 T4 for the second pax

which means that you have $6 and four transfers left on the card. Not sure what it displays for 10+ transfers.

It also works for smartcards that have a balance, rather than a pass, associated with them, and it's a functionality unique to CTA. (NYC, Vancouver, DC, and other cities with Cubic fare collection systems typically don't allow this.)

I guess you probably use the route planner from your home in chicago, as if you do a CTA bus to Pace bus within 2 hours with Chicago card or CTA transit card, it would only cost $2.25.

General fare for pace bus is $1.75 one way. If you put $2 in then the driver will automatically issue you a transfer which go for two free transfers, no need to ask the driver for one.

A note to that, if you are using Chicago Card or CTA transit card you don't need to pay separately. Like for instance if you ride the L, it deduct $2.25 for the first ride, (or CTA bus $2). If you are connecting to pace bus within 2 hours of first entry on the L, you would only deduct another $0.25 only, and the third transfer still be free provide if you are still in the 2 hours window. It works on the other way as well. When you first ride pace bus it deduct $1.75, then you transfer to L or CTA bus within 2 hours, it would only deduct another $0.25.

Some routes are more expensive especially those run on long stretch on highways like 757. You should be able to find all that on pace website.

Not really, it only depends on what route and what day of the week you are going to travel.

I can manage to use full of $2.25 from Lakeview to Woodfield Mall.

$2 #80 Irving Park
$0.25 Blue Line Irving Park to Rosemont
$0 #606 Rosemont to Woodfield

Just out of curiosity, how long of a trip is that? (And starting from where?)

I believe that transfers are only available if you use a card. If you walk onto a bus and pay $2.00 in cash there is no way to get a transfer, correct??

Yes, paper transfers are gone.

Also, Pace does timed transfers at transfer points, so it's quite possible to get 3 Pace rides into 2 hours if you're on such an itinerary.

So that means if I buy 1 card, and use the EL or a bus, I can swipe it 3 times, one time for me, and once for each kid...????

I never thought that was possible....