RTA approves plan to delay CTA service cuts

CHICAGO — The Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors is moving money to delay a financial crisis.

RTA voted to move $74 million from Metra and Pace to CTA in order to prevent layoffs, cuts in service and rate increases.

Although the solution is temporary, RTA is hoping the state can provide more funding to prevent cuts to the CTA, and to hopefully expand a program for disabled riders that is being impacted in the future.

“It pushes off the fiscal cliff and make sure people can get to work and school and to their doctors appointments and whatever they use the CTA for,” RTA Chairman Kirk Dillard.

With federal COVID relief dollars set to run out at the end of the year, the shift in revenue will keep the agency going into early next year.

The ADA Paratransit Program, however, is not spared from cuts and rate increases.

“We’re here today to speak up, because we’re tired of proposed budget cuts interfering with our daily living and the way we need to live our life,” paratransit rider Cherlnell Lane said.

In May, the RTA adopted a plan to address a budget shortfall for its ADA Paratransit Program.

Last year, there was a $25.5 million deficit, with RTA using money from its reserve fund to cover the loss.

In 2025, RTA estimates ADA paratransit ridership will exceed its budget by at least 1.3 million rides, with an estimated shortfall of up to $65 million.

“The program is new. It has only been around since 2024 and we’re a victim of our own innovation and success,” Dillard said, talking about the rideshare access program (RAP) which allows those with disabilities to get subsidized rates for Lyfts and Ubers.

RTA has also funded the Taxi Access Program (TAP) since 2002.

Starting Oct. 1, RTA will increase the cost of trips for both programs from $2.00 to $3.25 each, and limit the number of rides allowed per month from 240 to just 30, which amounts to one single trip per day, instead of the previous four round trips that were covered.

The interest in the RAP program is so high that ridership has exceeded budget expectation.

“I seem to recall the ADA guaranteed us access to community; 30 rides a month isn’t access, it’s practically home confinement,” paratransit rider David Zoltan said.

The cuts to RAP and TAP will save roughly #3 million per month.

Pace does not offer unlimited free rides on its paratransit buses, but users said the service is notoriously late.

Users also said it could take hours to get to and from your destination as you share those rides with others. You also typically have to reserve a ride a day in advance.