Pace Plan of Action
THE TRANSIT NEEDS ARE REAL AND THE IMPACT GREAT WITHOUT FUNDING FOR PACE
Pace Plan of Action
June 15, 2007
ADA BUDGET - $27 Million Shortfall ($81 Million Total Need)
As of September 1, 2007, Pace’s Regional ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) paratransit program runs out of money if there is no new funding. An $81 million dollar appropriation is needed to keep this vital service running for people who most need public transportation. Without funding it will be necessary for Pace to take the following actions:
- ADA Paratransit Fare increases September 1st from $2.25 to $4.00 in the City of Chicago and from $3.00 to $4.00 in the suburbs
Generates $3.6 million in new revenue.
- Starting September 1, 2007 Pace will no longer accept ADA Monthly Passes and CTA One Ride Tickets. Stems revenue losses.
- Throughout the region ADA service will be provided at the minimum level allowed by federal law. Service will be provided strictly within the ¾ mile guideline.
Saves $140,000.
- Also starting September 1, 2007 TAP (Taxi Access Program) fares increase from $5.00 to $6.75.
Generates $800,000 in new revenue.
- As a result of eliminating suburban fixed bus routes, the related suburban ADA service area is reduced.
Saves about $1.6 million but 5% of current ADA trips are eliminated.
Total Revenue Generated: $4.4 Million Total Savings: $1.7 Million
These steps are the absolute legal limit of what Pace can do under Federal Law - and they still leave the ADA Program with a $25 million deficit for 2007.
SUBURBAN BUS - $23 Million Shortfall
Pace cannot continue to provide the same level of service without an infusion of new dollars. Therefore, fares will be increased on September 1 and services cuts made in October as follows:
- All Pace fares, local and regular, increase to $2.00 on September 1, 2007. Transfers will still be available for 25 cents. Generates $2.9 million. 1 million rides lost.
- Vanpool fares increase across the board for all programs by 10%.
Generates $270,000 in new revenue.
- Starting September 1, 2007 Pace no longer honors any CTA passes – weekly, visitor or U-Pass – except the 30 Day Pass. Stems revenue loss.
- Dial-A-Ride fares increase by 25% to a minimum of $2.00.
Generates $300,000 in new revenue.
- A total of 23 fixed route services that are performing poorly will be eliminated as shown on the list attached.
Saves $4.0 million. 528,000 rides lost.
- All Metra feeders and shuttle routes will be eliminated, a total of 65 routes as shown on the list attached. Saves $3.5 million. 1.3 million rides lost.
- There will be no Pace service on weekends – all Saturday and Sunday service would be eliminated on a total of 83 routes as shown on the list attached.
Saves $7.5 million. 2.2 million rides lost.
- All Pace Special Events service will be eliminated – to Cubs, White Sox and Bears games and the Auto Show. Saves $100,000. 45,500 rides lost.
- Four routes on which federal funding will be running out will also be eliminated as shown on the list attached. Saves $1.2 million. 111,300 rides lost.
Total Revenue Generated: $3.5 million Total Savings: $16.3 million
Total Routes Impacted: 175 - 68% of the system
Total Rides Loss: 5,184,800 -13% of System
In addition to actions related to service, Pace will take the following steps to reduce administrative costs:
- Reduce or eliminate miscellaneous programs and expenses. Saves $3.6 million.
- Eliminate 175 union jobs and 22 administrative positions. 13% of workforce.
Once again, Pace will help to balance its budget by shifting $18 million in federal capital funds to the operations budget in 2007. A list is attached of those projects and improvements that will not occur.
TOTAL SAVINGS TOWARD OPERATIONS BUDGET: $19.8 million
Important Notice: Pace will lose about $5 million federal dollars due to a lack of local match which would have supported the following projects – Ride In Kane and Ride In Lake, Traffic Signal Priority (TSP), South Suburban Express buses and service to the College of DuPage.
Send a message to Springfield now. Learn more about our financial
situation, the actions being proposed and what you can still do:
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