SPRINGFIELD - All senior citizens will continue to get free rides on Chicagoland buses and trains regardless of their income, as fare hikes and service cuts for other riders became more likely Friday.

The various mass transportation agencies had supported efforts at the Capitol to roll back the perk to only low-income seniors. All others would have gone back to the federally required half-price rate.

But state Sen. Rickey Hendon, a Chicago Democrat and free-ride supporter, said that proposal would not advance.

"It's a wonderful day. The seniors can relax," Hendon said. "The bill - will not be called in the Illinois Senate."

But for opponents of fare hikes and service cuts proposed to solve ongoing budget woes at the CTA, Metra and Pace, it's a gloomy outlook.

State Sen. Martin Sandoval, a Cicero Democrat, criticized his colleagues for letting "millionaires ride free on transit" when services and jobs are suffering.

"Their lack of interest in a legislative solution to the impending transit crisis is quite hypocritical given that the most affected by their decision will be the minorities, seniors and the working class that depend on the bus," Sandoval said.

The Regional Transportation Authority estimated transit agencies could gain up to $37 million in revenues a year if free rides were restricted to seniors making $22,000 or less. The money would be recouped by other seniors returning to half-price fares, the previous policy.

The free rides began two years ago as a keen political move by then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich. He agreed to go along with a suburban sales tax increase to bail out the transit agencies' budgets but only if seniors could ride for free.

Momentum was building this week to pass legislation to fully fund paratransit and limit free rides to poor seniors. On Thursday, Gov. Pat Quinn commented that he would support the change only if transit agencies backed down on potential fare hikes for up to two years.

On Friday, with the legislation crumbling, fare hikes and service reductions were back in play to resolve budget shortfalls at the three agencies.

"We will have to go back to our original proposed budget," Metra spokeswoman Judy Pardonnet said. "This puts everything back on the table."

Metra is considering increasing one-way fares, weekend passes and penalties for buying tickets on trains.

Pace officials are expected to vote in November on cutting or reducing 51 bus routes and raising fares for paratransit, the ride service for disabled individuals.

Pace officials said in a statement that "we're disappointed that the legislation didn't pass. However, we remain optimistic because we've been told by the governor's office that Gov. Quinn wants to keep the discussion going. We're hopeful that something positive can come from that."

The CTA is also looking at service and job cuts plus raising bus and train fares. Layoffs could affect 1,067 union positions and CTA officials blamed unions for twisting lawmakers' arms.

"The deal that was offered would have averted a fare increase and held fares steady for two years," CTA Vice President of Communications Noelle Gaffney said speaking for CTA Chief Richard Rodriguez. "It would have maintained free rides for the poorest seniors.

"Unfortunately, instead of acting on behalf of the hundreds of thousands of people who rely on public transit and the businesses that count on transit to service employees and customers, some lawmakers chose to oppose it. As it stands now, fares will go up, service will be reduced and more than 1,000 union employees will lose their jobs."