By Edward Madden – Pace Suburban Bus

Affordable and accessible transit options

In addition to ADA paratransit service, Pace, CTA, and Metra operate several accessible transit services.

Fixed Route Bus Service

For senior citizens and people with disabilities, fixed route is a less expensive way to get around your community and gives you the freedom to travel without arranging a ride in advance.

All Pace and CTA buses include ramps for easy boarding, designated seating areas, wheelchair securement, audio and visual route identification, and stop announcements. Additionally, all rides including transfers are at reduced rates using your Paratransit card.

Self-Advocate Bridget Brown

Metra commuter trains are accessible with at least one accessible car per train. For all rail cars without steps, a portable ramp is used by railroad personnel to help with boarding. In instances where the rail car has steps, a lift will be deployed.

Many Metra stations have wayfinding signs that show riders where the accessible boarding area is on the platform. At stations where these signs do not exist, rail personnel will direct you to the accessible train car. Before traveling on Metra, riders who require station accessibility should first determine which Metra stations are accessible.

Additionally, the Regional Transportation Authority offers a training program for those who wish to learn how to ride all public transportation options in the 6-county Chicagoland region.

City of Chicago Taxi Access Program (TAP)

Did you know all Chicago taxi cabs accept TAP cards? With a TAP card, you can take a one-way trip worth up to $30 up to eight times per day – and it’s currently free. Normally $3 per trip, TAP fares are temporarily being waived due to COVID-19.

To qualify for TAP, you must be certified by the RTA as being eligible for ADA Paratransit service.  Visit PaceBus.com/TAP to learn more.

Ride Lake County

Dial-a-Ride transportation services in Lake County and the surrounding area are available Monday through Sunday, 6:00 am to 6:00 pm. Senior citizens (60+) and individuals with a disability providing their RTA reduced fare permit number or their ADA Paratransit ID number are eligible. Fares are just $2.00 for 5 miles or less, $4.00 for trips between 5.01 and 10 miles, and $6.00 for trips longer than 10 miles.

Eligible riders may make reservations two (2) hours to seven (7) days in advance of the requested trip. For additional information, call the Lake County Division of Transportation at 847-377-7400 or see the Ride Lake County brochure.

DuPage Uber Access Program

On January 31, 2022, Pace began offering the DuPage Uber Access Program, a pilot program in DuPage County. Pace will subsidize trips (up to $30) for riders who choose to take Uber instead of ADA Paratransit. This new program is entirely optional; however, an eligible rider’s Uber trip of less than $30 taken within the DuPage ADA Paratransit zone costs the rider nothing.

People who are certified by RTA for ADA paratransit service and who live within DuPage County are automatically eligible to receive the Pace subsidy for Uber rides, but only for trips within Pace’s designated ADA Paratransit service area, and only within DuPage County. Visit Pacebus.com/dupage-uber for additional information.

For more information about Pace or Pace’s paratransit services, please visit Pacebus.com and Pacebus.com/riders-disabilities.

One last reminder – masks are optional when riding public transportation and Pace encourages passengers to wear masks and social distance as much as possible for everyone’s safety.

Edward Madden is the Coordinator of Public Outreach for Pace Suburban Bus and one of JJ’s List’s Hop on the Bus to Independence presenters. Among his many communication responsibilities, Ed promotes the numerous transportation services that Pace offers in the 6-county Chicagoland region.