Transit agencies weigh service cuts, rate hikes

An audit of Pace paratransit service for disabled riders gives the agency decent grades - but finds room for improvement. However, some of its recommendations could cost millions, Pace officials said, just as the agency is set this Wednesday to ponder fare increases and service cuts.

Pace leaders plan important decisions about route cuts and fare increases. The agency is contemplating eliminating or reducing service on more than 50 bus routes serving the suburbs. It also could raise paratransit fares in the suburbs to $3.50 and in Chicago to $4.50.

Prepared by consultants for the Regional Transportation Authority, the final audit reviewing ADA paratransit service finds that Pace reforms have improved trip availability, on-time performance and telephone access. Pace instituted the changes when it took over Chicago paratransit in 2006.

But the consultants state the trade-offs also meant riders could not choose their carriers and faced longer ride times and less flexibility in trip planning. So, they recommend that Pace centralize its dispatching service to save $3.6 million a year, process complaints more quickly, and institute "secret riders" to report on quality, among other ideas.

The consultants also find space is limited in some vehicles when two riders with wheelchairs are traveling. They recommend Pace purchase larger vehicles.

"Overall, we were pleased with the audit because it showed that not only are we in compliance with the ADA, but it states that we're doing a good job of managing the service," Pace spokesman Patrick Wilmot said in an e-mail. "Some of the findings are directly in line with what we've wanted to implement in the Chicago service area all along, such as the centralized dispatch and having a Pace-owned fleet. Both of these will, in the long run, reduce operating expenses but both also will require a significant amount of capital investment."

But, he added, "The findings that addressed opportunities for cost savings or revenue enhancements speak to the delicate balance we face in trying to remain as efficient and cost effective as possible while providing service that's convenient and comfortable for riders. For example, increasing the telephone access for people scheduling trips was one of the primary concerns of riders when we assumed responsibility for service in Chicago. We overhauled the telephone system and increased reservation hours, but there was a cost associated with doing that."

He also said the agency has cut response times to consumer complaints "by close to 50 percent, and we've begun responding by telephone to shorten response times further."

The Pace board will consider whether to include these two options in its draft budget. Officials said the changes are necessary because of a drop in revenues from sales taxes.

The Chicago Transit Authority, which announced its own plans for fare increases and service cuts on Monday, is also in budget crisis mode. Its proposed 2010 budget includes bumping bus fares to $2.50 plus increasing train and express bus costs to $3.

The CTA is also looking at cutbacks to nine express bus routes and less-frequent service on some bus routes.