2012 Pace Suburban Bus Budget Hearings - Ability Chicago statement : Oct 26, 2011

The following is as presented to Pace Suburban Bus at the 2012 Budget Hearings on Oct 26, 2011 at the
City of Chicago (Southwest) Budget Public Hearing,
Arturo Velasquez Westside Tech. Inst.
2800 S. Western Ave. Chicago, IL 60608
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Richard A Kwasneski
Chairman of the Board
Pace Suburban Bus:

We would like to acknowledge Pace Executive Director Ross, Pace staff, and the Pace Board of Directors in the proposed budget for 2012. With no fare increases, the continued attempts of increasing fixed route service, and going forward with a central dispatch center for paratransit service throughout the region, as the RTA hopefully provides funding for. We would also like to recognize the work done over the last year on guaranteed yearly funding for paratransit service within the RTA Budget.

But we would like for the Pace Board of Directors to reconsider one of the items under the 2012 Budget. As per a recommendation from the RTA to reduce paratransit reservation hours, from the current 6 AM to 7 PM in Chicago, to a regional 8 AM to 5 PM daily. By doing so, especially in the City of Chicago where a high majority of all regional paratransit service is provided, we would like the Board of Directors to reconsider there recommendation to 6 AM to 5 PM daily. As the phone lines would be flooded with calls starting at 8 AM, extra staff would be needed to continue the success of improved waiting time for reservations that PACE has accomplished. With paratransit customers need to reserve rides for the next day from going to work, medical appointments, social obligations to daily activities. We would also like for the Pace Board of Directors to consider for 2012, as well as the RTA Board of Directors to provide funding to put in place the ability for paratransit customers to reserve rides "Online". The possibility of an online reservation system has been part of discussions since Pace was given the responsibility of providing a regional paratransit service. With the reduced hours as within the 2012 budget, we all should consider the affect on those that are PACE's Paratransit customers, the improved overall service that has been accomplished, as we all go forward in the largest paratransit service area in the country.

Sincerely,
James L Watkins
Executive Director
Ability Chicago
jimwatkins@abilitychicago.info