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Welcome to the RTA's ADA Paratransit and Accessible Transportation information page. Please click on the links below to learn about ADA Paratransit Service, find information about accessible transportation and get answers to frequently asked questions regarding ADA Paratransit and accessible transportation services.
Accessible Transportation in the Region
The ADA and Public Transportation
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law on July 26, 1990. This law is a civil rights act that is designed to ensure equal access to employment, public accommodations, telecommunications and transportation for people with disabilities.
With the advent of the ADA, persons with disabilities are to be provided equal access to public transportation services. To ensure equal access, the law requires that all new vehicles purchased for general fixed route public transportation service be made accessible to persons with disabilities, among other requirements.
What Makes a Transit Service Accessible?
The features found on buses, which help ensure equal access, include lifts, ramps, wheelchair securement areas and priority seating areas for people with mobility disabilities. In order to improve access for persons with visual disabilities, the ADA requires bus drivers to call out stops and have large print and Braille signage located on fixed route buses and trains. Access provisions are also made for rail cars, such as the CTA’s elevated and Metra commuter train service. For rail cars without steps, a portable ramp is used by railroad personnel to assist with boarding. This portable ramp is called a "gap filler". It was given this name because it spans the gap between the platform and the rail car. In our region, such ramps are used for CTA trains and on Metra Electric Line trains. In instances where the rail car has steps, the law requires that at least one lift-equipped car is available per train. In our region, this applies to Metra.
The ADA also defines requirements for rail station accessibility and defines stations fitting particular criteria as "key stations". A key station is defined by the following:
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any transit station where passenger boardings exceed average station boardings by at least 15 percent
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transfer stations
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major interchange points with other transit modes
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end stations
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stations serving major activity centers, such as employment or government centers, institutions of higher education or health care facilities.
Under the ADA, key stations must be accessible to persons with disabilities. To be considered accessible, a key station must have the following features: ramps, Braille signage, tactile warning strips, curb cuts and accessible parking spaces.
Fixed Route vs. ADA Paratransit Service
Fixed route service is the regularly scheduled buses and trains operated by the CTA and Pace in the northeast Illinois region.
ADA Paratransit Service is shared-ride, curb-to-curb transportation. In northeastern Illinois, ADA Paratransit service is operated by Pace.
For persons with disabilities, there are several advantages to riding fixed route service. First, passengers with disabilities who use fixed route services have a fare incentive available to them through the RTA Reduced Fare Program. Another advantage is that unlike ADA Paratransit service, travel on fixed route services does not have to be scheduled a day in advance. ADA Paratransit users must make a reservation morning the day before a trip. Fixed route customers can travel whenever they wish during a transit service’s hours of operation with no advance notice. Finally, a person using fixed route transit increases the number of rides available on ADA Paratransit for those who, due to their disability, have no other transportation options.
The ADA recognizes that some users of public transportation, due to the nature of their disability, will be unable to use fixed route services even with full accessibility. To ensure equal access for these riders, public transit operators are required to offer a complementary paratransit service, which is known as ADA Paratransit.
ADA Paratransit services are designed to operate the same days and hours as the fixed route service available in the area. It is important to note that ADA Paratransit services are complementary or comparable to fixed route and only operate within three-quarters of a mile of fixed route services. If an area does not have fixed route service, there will be no ADA Paratransit service.
To determine eligibility for ADA Paratransit service, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has established an eligibility determination program. The RTA ADA Paratransit Certification Program determines an individual's functional abilities and limitations for using fixed route services.
The RTA serves the six counties in northeastern Illinois: Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will. Public transportation is provided in the region by three Service Boards: the CTA, Metra and Pace. ADA Paratransit service is provided by Pace throughout the region.
The CTA is the Chicago Transit Authority. This Service Board is responsible for operating fixed route buses and "L" trains in the Chicago metropolitan area, as well as in some nearby suburbs. The CTA bus fleet is 100 percent accessible. Currently, all of the CTA's "L" lines are accessible and all but two of the CTA "key Stations" are accessible. Additionally, many of the CTA's other "L" stations are fully or partially accessible. In cases where an individual cannot use fixed route service due to the nature of their disability, Pace provides ADA Paratransit service in the city of Chicago and nearby suburbs where CTA fixed route buses or trains operate, as required under the ADA.
Metra operates the commuter rail system in the six county region. Both diesel and electric trains provide rail service. All Metra train lines and key stations are accessible. There are several additional stations that are at least partially accessible, which means that the stations have an accessible path to get to the boarding area. Metra is not required under the ADA to provide complementary ADA Paratransit service.
Click on the following link to go to Metra's web site for more information regarding Metra's accessible services. http://metrarail.com/ADA/index.html
Pace operates the suburban bus system, including fixed route, feeder route and express route buses, serving more than 200 communities in Suburban Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. A small number of Pace Express Routes do travel into Chicago.
Pace buses are 100 percent accessible. Pace also provides ADA Paratransit service in the areas and during the days and hours that Pace fixed route buses operate.
Click on the following link to go to Pace's web site for more information regarding Pace's accessible fixed route services. http://pacebus.com/sub/bus_system/accessible_bus_service.asp
Click on the following link to go to Pace's web site for more information regarding Pace's ADA Paratransit services. http://pacebus.com/sub/paratransit/default.asp
What is ADA Paratransit Service?
ADA Paratransit Service is shared-ride, curb-to-curb transportation provided in the Regional Transportation Authority's (RTA) region by Pace (the suburban bus division). Service is provided only to individuals found eligible by the RTA and is operated under the following ADA guidelines:
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Service is only provided in areas where the CTA's and Pace's fixed route buses or the CTA's "L" trains operate. ADA Paratransit vehicles can only make pick-ups and drop-offs at places that are within ¾ of a mile of a bus route or "L" train station.
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Service is provided only during the hours and days when fixed route service in that area operates.
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Rides must be reserved one day in advance.
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ADA Paratransit fares are at least the cost of a full fare on a fixed route bus or train.
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Service is provided for all types of trips.
Who is Eligible for ADA Paratransit Service?
ADA Paratransit Service is provided for riders whose disability or health condition may prevent them from using the CTA and/or Pace fixed route services for some or all of their travel. Individuals who are interested in using ADA Paratransit service must apply and be found eligible according to ADA guidelines. The RTA is responsible for determining eligibility for ADA Paratransit service in the Chicagoland region.
How to Apply for ADA Paratransit Service
To apply for ADA Paratransit service, please call the RTA's ADA Paratransit Certification program at 312/663-HELP (4357 voice) or 312/913-3122 (if you use a TTY) to request an application. You can reach the RTA ADA Paratransit Certification program between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Applications are available in regular or large print English, regular print Spanish, in Braille or on audiotape.
Once you have filled out as much of the application as you can, call the RTA's ADA Paratransit Certification program at 312/663-HELP (4357 voice) or 312/913-3122 (if you use a TTY) to schedule an interview at one of the RTA's five Interview and Assessment sites. When you call, please let us know if you will need transportation to the interview and let us know if you will need the services of an American Sign Language or Spanish interpreter. These services will be arranged, if needed, at no cost to the applicant. Please bring the application and a photo ID with you to the interview. You may also bring additional information about your disability or health condition if you wish, but this is not required.
During the interview, we will review your application form with you and, if necessary, help you to complete it. The staff will also discuss your travel abilities and limitations in more detail.
After the interview, staff may ask you to take a "mock" bus trip. This will take about 30-to-45 minutes and will give us a better idea of your travel abilities and limitations. You may be asked to go outside, so please dress for the weather.
You will be notified of your eligibility by letter within 21 days of the completion of the interview and assessment. If a decision is not made within 21 days, we will provide you with ADA Paratransit service until a final decision is made.
If you are determined to be eligible for ADA Paratransit service for some or all of your trips, you will receive a Certification Letter, a Customer Guide with information about how to use the service and a photo ID card. If we determine that you are able to use fixed route buses and "L" trains for some or all of your trips, we will notify you of the exact reason for this decision and we will tell you how to appeal this decision.
Types of Eligibility
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Unconditional Eligibility - Your disability or health condition always prevents you from using the fixed route buses or "L" trains and you qualify for ADA Paratransit service for all of your trips.
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Conditional Eligibility - You are able to use the fixed route buses or "L" trains for some of your trips, but qualify for ADA Paratransit service for other trips when your disability or environmental barriers prevent the use of fixed route transit service.
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Temporary Eligibility - You have a health condition or disability that temporarily prevents you from using the fixed route buses or "L" trains.
How to Appeal an ADA Paratransit Certification Decision
The RTA has a process in place by which an individual can appeal an ADA Paratransit certification decision made by the RTA. Typical reasons for a person to appeal an ADA Paratransit certification include:
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An application is turned down.
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An individual disagrees with the initial eligibility decision
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An individual thinks that the eligibility decision is wrong.
All requests for appeal must be in writing and should be mailed to the ADA Certifier at the Regional Transportation Authority, 175 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 1550, Chicago, IL 60604. An appeal brochure is included with the Certification Letter.
Please call the RTA's ADA Paratransit Certification program at 312/663-HELP (4357 voice) or 312/913-3122 (if you use a TTY) if you have any questions regarding the eligibility or appeals process, to request an ADA Paratransit application, or for copies of the Applying for ADA Paratransit brochure.
How does Conditional Eligibility Work When Scheduling Paratransit Service?
If an individual is eligible for ADA Paratransit on a conditional basis, each trip that is requested will go through a trip screening process as determined by Pace. The trip screening process requires that the individual who wishes to travel on ADA Paratransit call the service provider the day before a trip and give the necessary information pertaining to that particular trip (i.e., pick-up and drop-off addresses). Depending upon the type of conditional eligibility, the service provider then either approves or denies the trip at the time of request or contacts Pace ADA Paratransit with the trip information for further follow-up. It is then the responsibility of Pace to determine whether or not the trip could be made on fixed-route service or qualifies for ADA Paratransit based on the conditions of the individual's eligibility. Pace would then notify the individual of the outcome of the trip screening process at a later time on the same day the trip request is made. It is important to note that as long as the conditions remain the same for a particular trip, Pace will not need to repeat the trip screening process to determine eligibility. However, trip reservations must still be made by the individual the day before they plan to travel.
For general trip scheduling information, the individual can refer to the Pace ADA Paratransit materials that are included with the RTA Certification Letter. Information regarding trip scheduling can also be obtained by calling Pace Customer Relations at 847/ 364-7223 (voice) or 847/ 364-5093 (if you use a TTY).
Attendant Subsidy Program
The CTA, Metra and Pace have an Attendant Subsidy Program available only for persons with disabilities who are certified for ADA Paratransit service. The program increases travel choices for persons with disabilities by allowing them and an attendant to pay reduced fares when riding CTA and Paced fixed route bus service, CTA “L” train service and Metra commuter rail.
Anyone who is certified to use ADA Paratransit service will receive an ADA Paratransit/Reduced Fare ID card. This card is identified by a red ID number starting with the letter "P". This card entitles an individual with a disability who is certified to use ADA Paratransit and an attendant to pay reduced fares when riding the CTA and Pace fixed route system or Metra commuter rail.
Click on the following link to go to the CTA's web site for more information regarding the CTA's Attendant Subsidy Program. http://yourcta.com/maps/accessible.html
As part of the application and certification process for ADA Paratransit services, the RTA attempts to determine if the applicant is interested in and capable of learning to use fixed route services if provided proper training. To provide this training, the RTA offers a Travel Training Program.
The RTA Travel Training Program is available only to those who are applying or have already been found eligible for ADA Paratransit services. Individuals who choose to participate in the RTA Travel Training Program are eligible to use ADA Paratransit services while participating in the training. Ongoing eligibility for ADA Paratransit would be evaluated after travel training is complete.
Each individual who is referred for travel training is seen for a travel-training assessment to determine what he or she would like to learn. The assessment is used as a tool for the trainee and trainer to set goals and develop an individual training plan. Once the individual training plan is developed, various training methods and evaluation techniques are used to assist an individual in learning to use fixed route buses or trains, including Metra commuter rail. Training is typically one-on-one and includes discussion of policies and procedures, practice on out of service buses, as well as travel with a trainer in the field. Travel Training staff address issues such as psychological barriers to using fixed route transportation, use of fare cards, lift use and wheelchair securement.
The RTA recognizes that many individuals with disabilities who participate in travel training will not, due to varying circumstances, be able to use fixed route service for all of their travel. It is hoped, however, that the individual who participates in travel training can use fixed route services for at least some of their travel.
Once travel training is completed, the travel trainer sends a report to the RTA ADA Paratransit Certification staff detailing training goals achieved and those that were not attained, as well as any additional information regarding the individual's abilities or limitations for using fixed route service. A determination regarding ongoing ADA Paratransit eligibility is then made. Until this occurs, the temporary training eligibility would continue.
For more information about the RTA Travel Training Program, please call the RTA ADA Paratransit Certification program at 312/663-HELP (4357 voice) or 312/913/3122 (TTY). You may also ask about the Travel Training Program at your application interview.
Click here to send an e-mail if you would like to be contacted to arrange for travel training.
Another program the RTA offers is a Reduced Fare permit. Reduced Fare permits are offered to persons with disabilities or to people age 65 or older. With a Reduced Fare permit, the passenger can ride CTA or Pace fixed route services or Metra commuter rail for half fare. For example, if the fare is $1.75, the passenger can ride for $ .85. The reduced fare is also applied to transfers. Call the RTA Travel Information Center at 312/836-7000 (voice) or 312/836-4949 (if you use a TTY) for information on how to apply for an RTA Reduced Fare permit. If an individual is eligible for ADA Paratransit, the ADA Paratransit ID Card is also a Reduced Fare permit.
Click here to send an e-mail if you would like to request a copy of the RTA's Reduced Fare permit brochure.
Over the past several years, wheelchairs and scooters have become increasingly diverse with regard to size, design and functional capabilities. Various types of wheelchairs and scooters have become commonplace and are being used by a broader range of people with disabilities.
In order to meet ADA accessibility guidelines, fixed route buses and trains, as well as ADA Paratransit vehicles, are required to accommodate a wheelchair or scooter that measures up to 30-inches wide and 48-inches long and weighs less than 600 pounds when occupied. Mobility devices that fall within these ranges are referred to as "common" wheelchairs in the ADA. Vehicles must also have sufficient maneuvering space to allow a "common" wheelchair to reach the securement area. Commuter rail cars must also follow similar accessibility guidelines.
Even if fixed route buses and trains, commuter rail cars and ADA Paratransit vehicles meet the accessibility guidelines, it is important to know that some wheelchairs and scooters do not meet the standard measurements for a "common" wheelchair and may not fit on public transportation vehicles. Wheelchairs and scooters must not exceed these clearly defined measurements in order to assure that the individual using these mobility devices is able to maneuver through the aisle of a transit vehicle to the wheelchair securement area. The ADA does not require public transit operators to accommodate wheelchairs or scooters that do not meet the ADA's guidelines for size and weight.
Click here to send an e-mail if you would like to request a copy of the RTA's Standard Measurements for a "Common" Wheelchair brochure.
For information on using CTA and Pace fixed route services, Metra commuter rail, Pace ADA Paratransit services, or for additional information regarding applying for a Reduced Fare permit, call:
Regional Transportation Authority (RTA)
Travel Information Center
Trip planning for fixed route and commuter rail services &
General Information about applying for a Reduced Fare permit
836-7000, city or suburbs (voice)
TTY: 312-836-4949
Toll Free TTY: 800-439-2202
Monday through Friday
5:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m.
www.rtachicago.com
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA)
General Information about fixed route services
888-YOURCTA (888-968-7282)
TTY: 888-CTATTY1 (888-282-8891)
Monday through Friday
7:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m.
www.transitchicago.com
Metra
General Information about commuter rail services
312-322-6777 (voice)
TTY: 312-322-6774
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
www.metrarail.com
Pace
General Information about fixed route & ADA Paratransit services
847-364-7223 (voice)
TTY: 847-364-5093
Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
www.pacebus.com
For more information about ADA Paratransit eligibility, call:
Regional Transportation Authority (RTA)
ADA Paratransit Certification Program
312-663-HELP (4357 voice)
TTY: 312-913-3122
Monday through Friday
8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Click here to plan your trip on the RTA.
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