Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Subscribe FREE to Ray Hanania’s Columns
  • Advertise
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • Midnight Flight Book
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Seniors
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Two Guys on Politics Podcast: A Centrist View on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Ray Hanania on Politics Podcast
    • The Arab street Podcast
  • Submit a Press Release
  • Toggle search form
  • Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) Wednesday (August 10, 2022 visited Rick and Corey Johnson’s Farm in Monee, IL and held a ‘Barn Hall’ with farmers, growers and food security advocates from the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association, Greater Chicago Food Depository and the USDA Office of Rural Development.
    Rep. Kelly Hosts ‘Barn Hall’ Conversation with Farmers and Food Security Advocates Federal
  • Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and his wife
    Pritzker lives in glass house of money and hypocrisy Blogger
  • Orland Park Trustee Dan Calandriello at a Village of Orland Park Board meeting.
    Candidate Calandriello announces “Biking the 17th” to raise awareness for Cook County Forest Preserves Cook County
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium Cook County
  • Piano. Photo by Dolo Iglesias on Unsplash
    Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock Blogger
  • President George W. Bush walks across the tarmac with NFO Lt. Ryan Phillips to Navy One, an S-3B Viking jet, at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego Thursday, May 1, 2003. Flying to the USS Abraham Lincoln, the President addressed the nation and declared "Mission accomplished" in Iraq to justify diverting forces from Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: Can we win the war in Ukraine? Bill Lipinski
  • Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois
    Kelly, Foster, Newman among those voting to pass Assault Weapons Ban Act Crime
  • Hanania newspaper column on Pritzker pushing for Democratic National COnvention
    Pritzker push for Democratic National Convention could backfire Blogger
  • Fire Truck, Fire District. Photo courtesy of the Orland Fire Protection District
    Orland Fire District will maintain “all services” despite delayed county tax collections Cook County
  • Mike Porfirio, Democrat endorsed candidate for 11th Senate District
    Porfirio urges “full investigation” into reported racist rant of local official Cook County
  • New Lenox offers Free CERT training
    New Lenox offers free Disaster Preparedness Training to residents Government
  • Patricia Joan Murphy Worth Township Supervisor
    Partnership Will Offer Economic Development and Employment Support in South Suburbs  Business
  • USO barbecue for the troops 2022
    USO hosts Barbecue for the Troops July 23, 2022 Cook County
  • TikTok Screen shot
    TikTok generates nearly $4 billion in consumer spending Business
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Tough punishment needed in wake of Danny Golden shooting Blogger
Lyons plans to subsidize Cab Service for residents

Lyons to subsidize cabs for seniors, disabled

Posted on April 28, 2017May 14, 2017 By Steve Metsch No Comments on Lyons to subsidize cabs for seniors, disabled
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Lyons to subsidize cabs for seniors, disabled

By Steve Metsch

Steve MetschSenior citizens and the disabled who reside in Lyons will be able to get cab rides for half-price with a new program that uses a discount card.

It’s a revision of a program that had used discount coupon booklets. As before, the village pays half the cost.

Lyons is the first community to use the card system in cooperation with Blue Cab, based in Forest Park, said Jack Gavin, the cab company’s director of marketing and sales.

Frank Torres, Lyons’ parks and recreation director, is in charge of the program for the village. He researched several companies.

“We got rid of the old paper coupons. We got into using what is like a gift card, per se. We’ve partnered with Blue Cab. Lyons is actually the first to do this, so it’s kind of nice. Blue Cab is local, out of Forest Park, and is family owned,” Torres said.

“All their taxi cabs are clean, have GPS units, and are video- and audio-recorded. The police are excited about that for safety. If there is a senior with dementia, for example, they’d be able to track them because everything is recorded,” Torres said.

The cards are sold at the village hall. When residents use the card, they call the Blue Cab company, set up a ride, and when the ride arrives, slide the card through a device like a credit card, and get a printout of their balance, Torres said.

Lyons plans to subsidize Cab Service for residents
Lyons plans to subsidize Cab Service for residents

The old way was a paper coupon system “and we had a lot of residents who maybe lost them, or didn’t have enough,” Torres said.

There were some problems with a system the administration inherited when Chris Getty took office as mayor eight years ago, he said.

“We tried to fine tune it six years ago and we kept the same format. We changed the coupons, we made them more distinctive, multiple colors so people couldn’t copy them, but we still had an issue where people were copying them,” Getty said.

Blue Cab replaces two other cab companies the village had worked with before, Torres said.

Residents pay $25 for the $50 cards. The village picks up the other half of the cost.

“The paper coupons were hard to track in terms of auditing and possible fraud. This is easier to keep track of for us and it’s easier on the seniors in that they don’t have to carry a bunch of coupons with them,” Torres said.

“The seniors that have been taking it have been very pleased with Blue Cab and the way we are doing this. Blue Cab is excited about it and we’re excited about it,” Torres said.

Gavin said the card system gives the village “better control.”

“Most of the communities would do little coupon booklets, but what they found was there was a likelihood of people to photocopy coupons or even lose the coupons,” Gavin said.

“From an administrative standpoint, we love the idea of Lyons doing it this way. If they wanted to, there’s the technology to determine where most of the seniors are going, how often do they use it, and if the increment enough on the cards,” Gavin said.

He expects eventually the cards can be reloadable, like store gift cards, so the same card can have value added to it if the allocation has been exhausted, Gavin said.

“Certainly, the capability is there to re-up. They keep the same card, and it’s all done there in the village hall,” Gavin said.

Blue Cab has been in business more than 90 years, Gavin said. “The near west suburbs have been the hub for many, many years,” Gavin said.

You can visit www.bluecab.us for more information about the company.
The change was discussed at length during a recent meeting of the village board’s finance committee before it was approved in March.

“Part of the issue is the paperwork,” village manager Tom Sheahan said at the finance committee meeting.

Using the card “makes a lot more sense,” Sheahan told the committee. Seniors with vouchers remaining from the former system would be able to add that to the card, he said.

The village is expected to spend $12,000 to $13,000 annually on the program, Sheahan said. That’s in line with what was spent in previous years.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch
Steve Metsch is an award winning veteran reporter who previously worked for the Daily Southtown Newspapers, Chicago Tribune and Chicago Sun-Times. Metsch is a writer and editor at the Southwest News Newspaper group based in suburban Chicago, and a freelance writer a health magazine, the Suburban Life, the Naperville Sun, and other organizations.
Email Steve Metsch at sm4610@sbcglobal.net
Steve Metsch
Latest posts by Steve Metsch (see all)
  • Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock - August 5, 2022
  • Countryside’s concert series returns - June 13, 2022
  • Age is just a number - June 5, 2022
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
News Tags:subsidize, taxi cab service, transportation, Village of Lyons

Post navigation

Previous Post: No injuries in fire that damaged three homes in suburban Chicago
Next Post: Why is my TV clogged with election Ads?

Related Posts

  • Community Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic Friday, May 21st At Village Leadership Academy In the South Loop
    Community Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic Friday, May 21st at Village Leadership Academy in the South Loop Business
  • National Night Out a success News
  • Generic Fire picture of Firefighters battling a blaze
    Suburban backyard pool deck destroyed by fire, photos Fire
  • Richton Park Village Manager Regan Stockstel, Facility Supervisor Geneen Robinson-Smith & Mayor Rick Reinbold were on hand when members of ComEd's External Affairs Team Michael Fountian, Bonita Parker, and Lisa Aprati recently stopped by to drop off blankets for Richton Park's sister City Cat Island Bahamas. The Blankets will be distributed to Senior citizens on Cat Island." The donation from our community partners at ComEd really put us over the top on our blanket drive and we are very grateful. " stated Mayor Reinbold.
    Richton Park collects blankets to help Sister City in Bahamas News
  • Chicago Cubs feature food from top chefs at Wrigley Field. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Cubs
    Chicago’s Top Chefs Head to Wrigley Field Editors Pick
  • Cicero Town President joins members of the Town of CIcero who helped organize the annual Day of Prayer on July 10, 2018. Cicero Day of Prayer 2018 - Photo by Ana Macario
    Cicero hosts day of prayer to fight street gangs Editors Pick

More Related Articles

Sears Closing Orland Park Store and More News
Former New York City Police Commissioner Bernard Kerik, right, joins 6th District Congressional candidate Sean Kaspar (left) GOP candidate Kaspar says more must be done to fight crime in 6th District Chicago
Maria Pappas, Emo Cundari, Cook County Treasurer and Cicero Town Assessor logos and titles Pappas, Cundari discuss County system to view your property taxes Chicago
Easter egg hunt in Lyons News
Orland Township Grandparent Grandchild Dinner Dance Set 2021 Orland Township Grandparent and Grandchild Dinner Dance Features
Marie Newman, candidate for the 3rd District Marie Newman and Interfaith Coalition condemn Art Jones’ 3rd District congressional candidacy elections

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and his wife
    Pritzker lives in glass house of money and hypocrisy
    August 11, 2022
  • Piano. Photo by Dolo Iglesias on Unsplash
    Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock
    August 5, 2022
  • President George W. Bush walks across the tarmac with NFO Lt. Ryan Phillips to Navy One, an S-3B Viking jet, at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego Thursday, May 1, 2003. Flying to the USS Abraham Lincoln, the President addressed the nation and declared "Mission accomplished" in Iraq to justify diverting forces from Afghanistan. Photo courtesy of Wikipedia
    Right from the Middle: Can we win the war in Ukraine?
    August 3, 2022
  • 17t year old Hadi Abuatelah runs after Oak Lawn police stopped the vehicle he was in asking him to leave a suspicious looking bag in the back seat. Instead, Abuatelah took the bag and tried to run but was caught and beaten to force him to let go of the bag
    Arabs and Muslims wrongly rush to judgment in Oak Lawn police beating of teenager
    August 3, 2022
  • Hanania newspaper column on Pritzker pushing for Democratic National COnvention
    Pritzker push for Democratic National Convention could backfire
    July 29, 2022
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash
    Tough punishment needed in wake of Danny Golden shooting
    July 20, 2022

Subscribe

  • Ray-Hanania-Newsletter-300-wide-Banner.jpg

Trending

  • car crashed through the front window of CosmoProf at 9109 W. 151st Street in Orland Park on Tuesday, July 19, 2022 11:45 AM. Vehicle crashes into Orla... Vehicle crashes into Orland Park cosmetic store front A car crashed throug... posted on July 19, 2022
  • Police Squad Car, courtesy of Wikipedia Two passengers killed in... Two passengers killed in car-semi collision in Bridgeview Bridgeview Polic... posted on July 16, 2022
  • Stolen vehicle recovered... Stolen vehicle recovered, offender arrested in Orland Park car theft On Fr... posted on July 18, 2022
  • Gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey and his wife Pritzker lives in glass h... Pritzker lives in glass house of money and hypocrisy Illinois Governor J.B... posted on August 11, 2022
  • Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash Tough punishment needed i... Tough punishment needed in wake of Danny Golden shooting Society must dema... posted on July 20, 2022
  • NEWS
  • Cook County Sherif Tom Dart
    Sheriff Dart Warns Public of Spike in Thefts of Kia & Hyundai Vehicles
    August 12, 2022
  • Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) Wednesday (August 10, 2022 visited Rick and Corey Johnson’s Farm in Monee, IL and held a ‘Barn Hall’ with farmers, growers and food security advocates from the Illinois Farm Bureau, Illinois Soybean Association, Greater Chicago Food Depository and the USDA Office of Rural Development.
    Rep. Kelly Hosts ‘Barn Hall’ Conversation with Farmers and Food Security Advocates
    August 11, 2022
  • Hastings files lawsuit against Frankfort police after politicized domestic violence report released
    August 10, 2022
  • Orland Park Trustee Dan Calandriello at a Village of Orland Park Board meeting.
    Candidate Calandriello announces “Biking the 17th” to raise awareness for Cook County Forest Preserves
    August 10, 2022
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium
    August 7, 2022
  • Piano. Photo by Dolo Iglesias on Unsplash
    Too old to rock? Elton John, in town tonight, turning back the clock
    August 5, 2022
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png

The Political Pundit

Political Pundit Aug. 24, 2021. Taliban thanks president for boxes of MAGA hats
  • WORD PRESS REVIEWS
  • MyCloud by Western Digital, a hard drive that doesn't last. Don't purchase Western Digital.
    Western Digital tubes its loyal customers for profit
    October 17, 2021
  • Macho Themes website front page. Don't buy their themes. They don't work
    Difficulties with Macho Themes for WordPress
    August 21, 2021
  • TECHNOLOGY REVIEWS
  • TikTok Screen shot
    TikTok generates nearly $4 billion in consumer spending
    July 21, 2022
  • Netflix is the best streaming service, despite drop in stock price
    April 20, 2022
  • Book Cover "Laptop from Hell" by Miranda Devince
    Questions remain unanswered about Hunter Biden’s ties to Ukraine
    February 20, 2022

Follow Ray Hanania at
Gab.com, MeWe.com
IDobbinate.com,
Twitter, Facebook

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

What We’re Reading

Arab News Newspaper Leading English Language Publication in the GulfArab News Newspaper

Ray Hanania on Politics
SW News Newspaper Group

  • SPORTS
  • Soccer. Photo by Md Mahdi on Unsplash
    International soccer returns to SeatGeek Stadium
    August 7, 2022
  • Stefan Noesen, Chicago Wolves
    Chicago Wolves Noesen wins President’s Award
    July 22, 2022
  • SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview
    Chicago Fire sets dates for “home games” at SeatGeek Stadium because of date conflicts with Soldier Field and Bears
    July 22, 2022
  • Chicago Wolves celebrate Calder Cup Championship 2022. Photo courtesy of the Chicago Wolves
    Calder Cup Champions Chicago Wolves sign two veterans forwards
    July 18, 2022
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Hastings files lawsuit against Frankfort police after politicized domestic violence report released
    August 10, 2022
  • Senior Care Home, eberhard 🖐 grossgasteiger on social or copy the text below to attribute.
    Nursing Home Violations for First Quarter of 2022
    June 7, 2022
  • John B. Schulz, 36, of the 7400 block of Brookside Drive in Hanover Park
    Hanover Park Man Charged with Multiple Felonies After Attempt to Meet Minor for Sex
    May 27, 2022
  • State Rep Fran Hurley 35th district
    Hurley-led Measure to Support Families of Fallen First Responders Signed by Governor
    May 24, 2022
  • Orland Township hosts Job Fair
    Orland Township events: Walk & Talk program, and Summer Job Fair
    May 17, 2022
Two Guys on PoliticsTwo Guys on Politics

John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications
  • BUSINESS NEWS
  • Patricia Joan Murphy Worth Township Supervisor
    Partnership Will Offer Economic Development and Employment Support in South Suburbs 
    July 25, 2022
  • TikTok Screen shot
    TikTok generates nearly $4 billion in consumer spending
    July 21, 2022
  • Agave Cocina and Tequila Bar at 6050 W. 159th Street on Oak Forest, Illinois
    Restaurant Review: Agave Cocina in Oak Forest
    July 10, 2022
  • Congresswoman Marie Newman, 3rd District Illinois
    House passes two bills sponsored by Congresswoman Newman to support small businesses and strengthen trade
    June 9, 2022
Click this link to watch or use the widget below:

Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.
Email Ray Hanania for more information about performing at your event at rghanania@gmail.com.

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme