STATE OF ILLINOIS : PARATRANSIT FUNDING FOR BUDGET YEAR 2012 - FOR RTA SERVICE AREA OF NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS PROVIDED BY PACE PARATRANSIT SERVICES- FARES COULD BE $4.50 PER RIDE IN 2011...

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## The post has a update on May 19, 2011: for update click headline or go to: http://abilitychicagoinfo.blogspot.com/2011/05/illinois-rta-ada-paratransit-fund-for.html

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I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL FOR THE SUPPORT THERE HAS BEEN SINCE THE START OF 'ABILITY CHICAGO INFO BLOG' OVER THE LAST MONTH. THE GOAL IS TO SHARE RESOURCES, AND UP TO DATE INFORMATION ON ISSUES FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES.

I AM NOW ASKING FOR SUPPORT FOR AN ISSUE; PARATRANSIT FUNDING FOR NORTHEASTERN ILLINOIS. THE STATE HOUSE IS EXPECTED TO VOTE THIS WEDNESDAY APRIL 06 2011 ON "HB585";

UDATE:

Hearings
Disability Services Committee: Hearing Apr 13 2011 8:30AM Stratton Building Room 413 Springfield, IL - House Floor Amendment 2

WE HAVE HIGHLIGHTED THE BILL AS A REFERENCE BELOW, THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT THEIR WILL BE GUARANTEED FUNDING FOR OUR PARATRANSIT SERVICE. WHILE A ONE WAY RIDE CURRENTLY IS $3.00 PER RIDE; IF HB585 DOES NOT PASS -

"FARES COULD BE $4.50 PER RIDE BY THE END OF THE YEAR"

PLEASE HAVE FAMILY, FRIENDS, AND YOURSELF CALL YOUR STATE LEGISLATOR THIS WEEK...

THANK YOU, JIM

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PLEASE SUPPORT

*HB 585*

·        ADA Paratransit is an unfunded Federal Civil Rights Law to provide transportation to qualifying individuals with disabilities.

·        Beginning in 2012 and beyond HB 585 will solve the funding shortfall in the ADA budget.  The legislation funds ADA “off the top” with RTA sales tax, which is consistent with the 2008 RTA reform legislation, but safeguards future ADA funding from sales tax decline.

·        RTA supports funding ADA in this manner.

·        The RTA still maintains all of its budgetary, fiscal and oversight responsibility of ADA service.

·        2.7 million ADA trips were provided in 2010.  Ridership is projected at 2.9 million trips for 2012.  7% growth.  Since 2007 ridership will have grown by 12%.

·        Projected 2012 ADA shortfall = $11 - $19 million.  Shortfall is due to the economy.  In 2008 the ADA fund = $100 million in 2010 = $91 million.

·        Since 2007, there have been five audits on the financial, compliance, and performance of ADA service by IDOT, RTA, Pace External Auditors, Pace Internal Auditors, and the Federal Government.  These audits have resulted in no findings and the audits have verified the costs of the program.

·        HB 585 is not a bailout for ADA Paratransit service; Pace has instituted numerous cost controls and efficiencies, such as, investment in technology to group more trips and improve routing, as well as coordinate vehicle assignments in smaller regional areas.  Costs have mainly risen since 2008 due to higher ridership.  As the population continues to age, ridership will continue to increase.

·        Without this legislation, fares may increase by 50% to $4.50 a trip.  The current fare is $3.00 a trip. 

·        This bill does NOT have any fiscal impact to the state.

·      PLEASE SUPPORT HB 585