Paratransit riders hit with major cuts to rideshare program starting this week

Although the funding crisis facing Metra, Pace and the CTA is pegged on 2026, it’s already here for KC Coppel and many other paratransit riders.

Coppel, who has intellectual disabilities and autism, relies heavily on a Pace paratransit service offering subsidized Uber rides. The 47-year-old uses the Rideshare Access Program (RAP) to travel from Arlington Heights to his job at Meijer as well as Special Olympics and other recreational activities.

RAP “has been transformative for people with disabilities,” Coppel’s mother, Micki, explained.

But with a multimillion dollar public transit shortfall looming in 2026, money is tight. Following a recommendation by the Regional Transportation Authority, rides on RAP and the related Tax Access Program (TAP) will shrink from an average of 240 a month to 30 a month and costs will rise from $2 a trip to $3.25 effective Wednesday.

Hundreds of users have implored the RTA and Pace to delay or compromise on the cuts, saying they will not be able to travel to work, medical appointments or shop. Passengers contend that traditional paratransit is unreliable, takes too long and — because it needs to be booked in advance — offers no flexibility.

The Coppel family said they’re not objecting to the $3.25 charge nor do they need 240 rides a month.

But with just 30, “a person commuting to and from work five days a week would quickly use up all their vouchers, leaving nothing for medical visits, therapy or community activities,” Micki Coppel said.

“For the disability community, this decision is devastating,” she added. “It feels as if our families are always the first to bear the burden when budgets are tight.”

Under RAP and TAP, after riders pay $2, Pace paratransit covers the remainder up to $30.

Since RAP started last year, demand has soared, contributing to a $25.5 million paratransit budget shortfall in 2024, and an estimated $60 million gap in 2025, the RTA explained.

“The fare restoration and the monthly ride caps are intended to limit program costs. We will continue to advocate for fully funding public transit in Springfield during the veto session,” RTA officials said.

Paratransit riders are able to take free rides on traditional buses and trains effective Wednesday.

Legislative update

The so-called transit “fiscal cliff” was sparked by ridership dropping from COVID-19 and federal aid running out in 2026.

The RTA originally estimated a $771 million shortfall next year with subsequent 40% cuts to trains and buses. To avert that, the state Senate passed a reform and rescue plan with tax increases on May 31.

House members should vote on transit legislation in the veto session starting Oct. 14, key lawmakers said at a Lincoln Forum/ Union League Club presentation Thursday.

“We need to get this done. I don’t want the crisis to happen,” Chicago Democrat and Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Ram Villivalam said.

The crisis “is not hyperbole, but you have to look at timing,” said Republican Sen. Seth Lewis of Bartlett. He noted new sales tax revenues of more than $250 million and emergency transfers of $75 million to the CTA will push the financial pinch later into 2026, eliminating the need for a rush job.

Democratic state Rep. Kam Buckner of Chicago cautioned, “these are not just trains and buses, these are real people’s lives. If we don’t fix transit, people lose jobs because they can’t get to work on time.”

The Senate bill proposes to nix the RTA and create an oversight board with greater authority over finances, fares and planning. In addition, it would raise over $1 billion to improve transit operations and safety by instituting new fees on online deliveries, real estate transfer taxes and more.

“We saw some enormous pushback” on the tax plans, Rosemont Republican state Rep. Brad Stephens said.

But, “this is a statewide issue, this isn’t Chicago versus suburbs, Democrat versus Republican,” Stephens added. “This is about all of us working together to solve a problem.”

One more thing

Pace holds virtual meetings on the Pulse Cermak Line this week. The bus rapid transit project will travel between the CTA Pink Line in Cicero to the Yorktown Center area in Lombard. Sessions are at 6 p.m. Wednesday (English) and Thursday (Spanish). To learn more and register, go to pacebus.com/pulse-cermak-22nd-street.

Gridlock alert

Expect delays and daytime closures as IDOT crews resurface segments of Route 176 in Island Lake. Work should wrap up in December.