6/9/05
The Chicago Transit Board voted to defer the paratransit fare increase scheduled for July 1 until January 1, 2006. As part of its 2005 budget the Chicago Transit Board had previously approved increasing the paratransit fare from $1.75 to $3.50 for the Taxi Access Program, Mobility Direct and Special Services, as well as increasing the price of a 30-day paratransit pass from $75 to $150.
Last week the General Assembly approved an amendment to the RTA Act which places responsibility for the funding, financial oversight and coordination of all paratransit services with the Regional Transportation Authority effective July 1, 2005. The amendment also directs CTA to work with the RTA and Pace to develop a plan to transition paratransit service delivery to Pace. The amendment moves the responsibility for providing all paratransit service to Pace no later than July 1, 2006.
"Amending the RTA Act to make paratransit decisions on a regional basis was a good move," said Chicago Transit Board Chairman Carole Brown. ?CTA will continue to provide paratransit services for customers throughout Pace's transition period, but we feel it is best to hold off on the paratransit fare increase until the new structure for the planning and delivery of these services has been established. Like the rest of the service, fare levels should now be dealt with on a regional basis."
?Working with the RTA and Pace, CTA will help make the transition of service go as smoothly as possible," said CTA President Frank Kruesi. ?We will also continue our commitment to accessibility by expanding travel options on our bus and rail system for customers with disabilities."
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