Announcement
Pace's Response to COVID-19
We are committed to providing our essential service safely. See what changes we've made:
ADA Paratransit Service
Welcome Pace ADA Paratransit riders! Click and play the video to learn how to ride like a Paratransit Pro. We'll teach you all the key steps you need to know to make your trip smooth and successful. From planning which ride is right for you to booking your ride and boarding the bus to get you where you want to go on time. We're excited to see you on board Pace ADA Paratransit.
COVID-19 Paratransit Travel Guide
Have questions about how to ride Pace Paratransit during the pandemic?
Become an ADA Paratransit Pro
We've mapped out the simple steps riders can take to have a successful trip on ADA Paratransit.
Chicago and Suburban ADA NEWS
This paratransit service is required by the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and is provided for customers whose disability or health condition prevents them from using CTA and/or Pace fixed route services for some or all of their travel. Only persons who are certified by the Regional Transportation Authority are eligible to ride ADA Paratransit. Trips are only provided at the same times and within the same geographic areas as fixed route. Pace operates this service across the entire six-county region, including Chicago.
Riders with disabilities may also want to learn about Pace's fixed route service, which is completely accessible to people with disabilities, and other reservation-based services which are commonly used by people with disabilities.
Scheduling a ride
Once certified for ADA paratransit, the number you call for a reservation depends on where you are traveling. See the directory of reservation phone numbers.
New to ADA paratransit? Not sure about the paratransit driver's responsibilities for your or your loved one's well-being? Click the buttons below for more details and answers to frequently asked questions.
If you need any of these documents in an alternative format not already provided, please contact Pace Customer Relations.
Taxi Access Program
Riders who are certified for ADA can use Pace's Taxi Access Program (TAP) for trips that begin in the City of Chicago. The TAP program is less expensive than paratransit and often more convenient because rides do not have to be scheduled the day before.
Fare
The current fare amount for an ADA paratransit ride is $3.25.
Paratransit riders will soon be able to pay for rides through Ventra. While you're not required to use that method, this new option benefits you by no longer requiring you to carry exact change or buy paper tickets. Learn how to get your account set up here.
Transferring to/from Paratransit
To transfer between paratransit services (including dial-a-ride) and fixed route buses, riders need to use Transfer Vouchers. See this explanation for details on getting and using that voucher.
Helpful information about ADA Paratransit
To help make paratransit services operate more efficiently for all riders, it is helpful if everyone knows the policies and procedures. The buttons above contain tips and answers to frequently asked questions.
It's easy to find information about your upcoming paratransit trips without having to call the reservation phone line. Pace's TripCheck service is an easy online tool that allows riders or their caretakers to view or cancel upcoming trips.
Even if you miss a paratransit trip, Pace won't strand you away from your home. See the full description of the missed trip policy and instructions on what to do if you miss a trip contained in the ADA Paratransit Service Guides linked below.
When you are scheduling your trip, the call taker will ask you if you have an appointment time. Let him/her know so they can schedule appropriately. Be sure to allow enough time to get from the vehicle to the actual appointment. For example, if you have to be at work or have a medical appointment at 9:00, but will need fifteen minutes to get to your desk or get signed in, tell the call taker your appointment is at 8:45. Pace strives to get all riders to their appointments on-time. However, because of factors beyond our control (such as traffic or weather), we have established an on-time performance standard for appointment arrivals of 90%.
Pace′s Reasonable Accommodations Policy spells out the obligations of Pace and its customers for all types of transportation services and public meetings.
If you believe your trip was excessively long, please let us know by submitting a report on the Passenger Ride Time Report page.
Advisory committees
There are two ADA Advisory Committees who advise the Pace Board of Directors on issues relating to service for customers with disabilities--including fixed route service and paratransit. One is comprised of Chicago residents and the other is comprised of suburban residents. Each committee meets monthly.
Check here for information on the ADA Advisory Committees.
ADA Paratransit Late Trip Reimbursement Program
Pace reimburses customers who paid a fare for a paratransit trip with an excessively late pick-up. An excessively late pick-up is a one that occurs 60 minutes or more after the on-time pick-up window (20 minutes in Chicago, 15 minutes in the suburbs). Passengers must still pay their fare at the time of the trip, as always, but Pace will tally all late pick-ups at the end of each quarter and send a one-ride ticket per late pick-up to the rider for use at a later date.
If Pace, in our records, shows an excessively late trip for the most recent three-month period, Pace mails you reimbursement ticket(s) in the following month, along with a letter indicating the date(s) of your late trip(s). So, for instance, Pace tallies late trips in the period October-December 2019 and then sends the tickets in January 2020. Please note that tickets will be mailed to the mailing address you have on file with RTA. Sometimes home and mailing addresses differ, so we encourage you to make sure your mailing address on file with the RTA is up-to-date.
