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• Accessibility
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • How-To Video
  • List of Accessible CTA Services
  • Customer Assistant Hours
  • ADA Advisory Committee
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Accessibility

This page contains information about accessible services from CTA.

On this page

• Overview of Scheduled Transit Service
  • Bus Service
  • 'L' Train Service 
    • Evacuation Procedures
    • Customer Assistant Hours
    • Elevator Status Information
• Accessibility Videos
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Additional Transportation Options
  • Paratransit
  • Chicago Taxi Access Program

Get involved

You can attend meetings and participate at Chicago Transit Board and ADA Advisory Committee meetings.

• Attend an ADA Advisory Committee Meeting
• Chicago Transit Board Meeting Info
• See upcoming CTA meeting notices, agendas and more
• New: Join the ADA Advisory Committee (.pdf) (.txt)

See also

• Accessibility FAQ
• Full list of Accessible CTA Services
• Elevator Status Alerts
• Customer Assistant Hours

Scheduled Transit Service

 Bus Service

All of our bus routes are fully accessible to customers with disabilities. Lifts and ramps on all buses are available for use upon request by anyone who has trouble with steps, even temporarily. (More...)

 'L' (Train) Service

CTA's train system has dozens of stations that are accessible to customers with disabilities and all CTA trains come with accommodations for people with disabilities on some or all cars.

To find out which stations are accessible, see our List of Accessible Stations, check our Route Guides, or view Maps. (More...)

Emergency Evacuation Procedures for CTA Rail Customers with Disabilities

 Brochure (.pdf) (see also: text-only version)

Customer Assistant Hours

If you'd like to know when Customer Assistants are available at stations, when Customer Assistants are on duty at CTA rail stations.

Elevator Status Information

On the Internet:
You can view alerts regarding elevator status at our Elevator Status Alerts page, or you can call the Elevator Status Hotline. Accessibility alert notifications also appear, by default, in CTA Train Tracker ^SM Beta.

Via telephone:
1-888-YOUR-CTA (1-888-968-7282)
Wait for prompts to begin, then press 5 and then 2.

Or for the hearing impaired via TTY:
1-888-CTA-TTY1 (1-888-282-8891)

Accessibility How-To Videos

We have put together a video explaining how to use accessible CTA services. Go to our Accessibility Video page where you can view the video online.

In addition, the RTA Travel Training Program helps individuals with disabilities learn to use CTA and Pace buses and CTA and Metra trains. Go to the RTA Travel Training page to learn more about the program.

Frequently Asked Questions

• How does the Americans with Disabilities Act affect CTA’s transit services?
• What are the accessibility features of CTA’s buses?
• What are the accessibility features of CTA’s trains?
• Are there any restrictions on the kind of mobility device I can use on the buses and trains?
• Are CTA’s train stations accessible to people with mobility impairments?
• Are there discounted fares available for people with disabilities?
• How do I report a complaint, pay a compliment or make a suggestion to CTA about disability-related matters?

Additional Accessible Transportation Options

In addition to accessible services from CTA, the following programs are available in the region to further accommodate people with disabilities:

Paratransit Service

Special door-to-door services are provided within Chicago and certain nearby suburbs to "ADA Paratransit Certified" customers. These services are now provided by Pace. Advance Reservations are required. For more information, please visit www.pacebus.com.

To apply for Paratransit eligibility, call the Regional Transportation Authority at 1-312-663-HELP (or 1-312-663-4357) or TTY 1-312-913-3122 to get an application. For general Paratransit information, call Pace at 1-800-606-1282 (or 1-847-364-7223) or TTY 1-888-847-0093.

Chicago Taxi Access Program

Allows "ADA Paratransit Certified" customers to travel in specially designated Chicago taxicabs at reduced rates anywhere in Chicago. These services are managed by Pace effective July 1, 2006. For an eligibility application or general information, call the numbers listed above or visit www.pacebus.com.