Transit Agencies Settle Class Action Suit

February 10, 2012

The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Pace have settled a class action lawsuit. The litigation stemmed from allegations of a failure to provide paratransit riders with services that were comparable to the region’s fixed-route services. The transit agencies deny the allegations and any wrongdoing and decided to settle the lawsuit rather than continue to incur legal fees if the case had gone to trial.

The suit was filed in November 2007 and was settled last month. Terms of the settlement include the disbursement of paratransit vouchers that are good for one free one-way trip each with a six-month expiration date. Notifications regarding claims will be mailed on February 14, 2012. Approximately 77,700 paratransit riders in the region are eligible to receive at least two one-way vouchers. They needed to be paratransit certified between November 2, 2005 and January 31, 2012. Approximately 150,000 vouchers will be disbursed among eligible paratransit riders that submit claim forms by March 30. Financial settlements among 15 plaintiffs range from $1,000 to $5,000 each.

Those with questions about paratransit voucher claims should call the Consumer Advocacy Center at 312-782-5808 or e-mail info@caclawyers.com.