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Proposed Pace cutbacks to affect city, suburbs
Submitted by Medill News Service on Thu, 07/26/2007 - 12:59pm.
By Brittany Kaplan
Medill Reports - Chicago
Some came in wheelchairs. Some used white canes to find their seats. Others talked about the limitations of old age and emotional problems.
Whatever their condition, they were united in strong opposition to the proposed cutbacks in the suburban Pace bus service and how it would impact their lives.
They were among an overflowing crowd who spoke out against the cuts at a Pace hearing Tuesday night in Arlington Heights. Emotions ran high as some pleaded, shouted and even wept.
The Illinois General Assembly has so far failed to act on budget requests from the Regional Transportation Authority, which includes Metra, the CTA and Pace.
The proposed cutbacks includes reduction to the legal limit of paratransit services provided for the handicapped under the federal Americans with Disabilities Act.
Weekend services in the suburbs would be eliminated and related suburban services reduced. Pocketbooks would be hit by raising paratransit services to $4 from the present $2.25 in the city and $4 in the suburbs, up from the current $2.50/$3. Pace would no longer accept ADA monthly passes and CTA One Ride tickets.
Other proposed cutbacks include dropping all Metra feeder routes and all weekend service routes. Twenty-three routes described as poorly performing will be eliminated. Also, special event services, such as sports games, will be dropped.
"What are you thinking?" said Mary Perry, questioning Pace staff members. "You don't know how it feels to be disabled. I don't see how in your hearts you can do this."
Ana Lisa Furcon said she has multiple sclerosis and said her disease is unpredictable. "I don't know where this disease could lead me in the future and I rely on [paratransit]."
"Even though we've tried to be as fair as possible in distributing the impact of what we're doing, this is going to hurt people on a very personal level and our region on a much broader, economic one," said Pace Chairman Richard Kwasneski.
Charles Watson, of Mount Prospect, said he needs Pace buses to live. "My life relies on going to dialysis." He travels by bus to these appointments.
For now, Pace and their riders are waiting for state legislators to make a decision.
"Politics is the art of compromise," Squires said. But, "I am hopeful they'll come forth with funding."
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