Sep 12, 2007 8:05 pm US/Central
Paratransit Fare Hikes Could Impact Hundreds
Many Riders On A Fixed Budget
by Vince Gerasole
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Marcia Trawinski will have to figure out how to get around if the CTA's Paratransit program increases fares. She is on a fixed budget and currently purchases a monthly pass, which is scheduled to be eliminated.
CBS
While the Chicago Transit Authority and its customers await Friday's Regional Transit Authority vote on a temporary halt to transit cutbacks and far hikes, four days remain to the countdown to those "doomsday" changes.
As CBS 2's Vince Gerasole reports, hundreds of riders who have disabilities may see the cost of a ride on public transport increase dramatically.
She is legally blind, but Marcia Trawinski from Bronzeville spends a lot of time on the road, thanks to the Paratransit program run regionally by PACE for the area's citizens with disabilities.
"I use it two to three times a day," Trawinski said. "This is circulation, this is life. Without this I can't get groceries, can't go to the doctor."
Lately, Trewinski is using the service, which includes a door to door escort, an average of 80 times a month. Her PACE Card for Americans with disabilities allows her to travel as much as she needs to for a flat monthly $75.
Some 700 Chicago riders alone purchase the card each month, but transit shortfalls are changing that.
On Sunday PACE is scheduled to begin charging a flat $3 per ride, but anyone riding more than 12 round trips would pay more. Trawinski's transit costs will jump from $75 to roughly $240 every four weeks.
"When you live on a fixed income a budget is everything," Trawinski said. "I know $75 is gonna give me the safety net whether doctor or a tooth falls apart I know I have the $75 to do that."
Like many in her position, Trawinski's Social Security disability income of $1,400 a month leaves little room to plan ahead.
"This kind of income does not allow for savings; we live paycheck to paycheck," she said.
PACE has already announced the new Paratransit fee of $3 will jump to $4 in January.
In the meantime Trawinski has yet to make plans for the day after doomsday. On occasion she's lobbied the state on disability issues and she is trying to remain hopeful as she goes about her busy life.
(© MMVII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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