PACE Riders with disabilities face increased costs and drastic cuts to paratransit rides from RTA

CHICAGO (WGN) — A proposal adopted by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) in their ADA Paratransit Action Plan could increase the cost of trips and heavily limit the number of rides per month for riders with disabilities.

If officially implemented, the legislation could leave riders with disabilities stranded with no way to get home.

“With the reduced rides, people will be stuck in their houses,” said Debbie Pittman, a PACE rider. “They won’t be able to make doctor’s appointments. They won’t be able to live the lives they want.”

According to the proposal in the RTA’s action plan, ride costs for PACE users who rely on the TAP and RAP programs would increase from $2 to $3.25 a ride, but that’s not the biggest concern.

The number of rides allowed per month would also see a drastic decrease from 240, all the way down to 30—a reduction from four round trips per day, all the way down to one, singular ride.

The RTA released the following statement in response to a request for comment on this story:

“The current fiscal crisis unfortunately could impact all transit riders, unless the state provides adequate funding. Since the 2024 introduction of the Rideshare Access Program, which allows ADA Paratransit riders access to Ubers and Lyfts, PACE Paratransit expenses continue to exceed budgeted expectations.” -RTA Spokesperson

A petition organized by Concerned Citizens of Paratransit is currently being circulated and asks the RTA to reconsider the cuts.

The RTA did hold a series of public hearings, with the last being held on Wednesday, July 30, but those in the disabled community said they were not notified about them.

“Had we known about that RTA meeting, that office would have been full, but we didn’t know,” Pittman said. “Now, they need to come up with another plan [for] people with disabilities.”

The TAP, which stands for Taxi Access Program, is a taxi subsidy program for ADA-eligible riders choosing to use Chicago taxi providers for same-day trips. The RAP, or Rideshare Access Program, is the TAP equivalent for ADA-eligible riders who choose to use rideshare services like Uber and Lyft for same-day trips.

The RTA also said the formal hearing process has concluded, but welcomes public feedback via email before it makes a final decision on the changes. They can be reached by email at Passenger.Services@PaceBus.com.