Opinion

Paratransit needs are being ignored

Posted September 14, 2007 11:00 pm

As we commemorate 9/11 a state of emergency exists in Illinois for mass transit riders, drivers and the disabled. Paratransit riders face life-threatening conditions when their fares increase by as much as 32 percent to 576 percent due to the elimination of the monthly ADA pass and they are forced to stop riding public transportation.

Most paratransit riders will be unable to ride without a monthly pass and affordable fares. They will be unable to get to health appointments, rehab and spiritual treatments, and shop for food and daily living essentials. They will be isolated, unable to obtain critical medical care such as dialysis, diabetes, respiratory and cancer treatment. This could lead to death or more expensive nursing and hospice care.

The governor, state legislature, our U.S. senators, congressmen and the Federal Transit Administration ignore the pleas and needs of our state's disabled. All of you need to be put on notice: If you let this happen we won't forget you in February and November.

Bruce Crosby

Chicago

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