| Getting Around Town |
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Success with Public Transportation
Like our postal service, neither
rain, nor sleet, nor winter snow
can keep Arlene Schnepf from
her appointed duties as Receptionist
for the Greater
Illinois Chapter of
the National MS
Society. Arlene
commutes regularly
from her home in
Elk Grove to 910
W. Van Buren,
using public transportation.
A motorized
chair is
Arlene’s vehicle of
choice for her
downtown navigation, though she does
have an accessible van to drive from
home to the Metra station.
Arlene’s commute begins with a brief
drive from home to her local Metra station
where she waits for the accessible
car on the Milwaukee West line. The
car with the lift is clearly identified with
a handicapped sign though Arlene recommends
locating a conductor and letting
them know that an accessible car
is needed, especially the first time on
the route. Arlene’s ride ends at Union
Station, where after a brief wait for the
conductor to help her disembark she
motors over to the chapter office. Rain
does not deter Arlene though snow can
be a challenge. In the event of very
inclement weather, Arlene will utilize
the paratransit service to reserve a lift
van (which by the way can be done to
travel from the train station downtown
to another destination). Private accessible
taxis are another option and with
the RTA pass taxi vouchers can be
used to reduce the cost of a trip.
Downstate, Ruth
Newman, energetic
co-chair of the
Champaign-Urbana
MS Walk committee,
says that “the Mass
Transit District (MTD)
is a lifesaver for
many of us”. Ruth
uses the “curb to
curb” ADA minivan
service to maintain a
busy schedule that includes volunteering
once a week at Carle Foundation
Hospital, going to medical appointments,
and shopping. The
Champaign-Urbana MTD provides
accessible minivan service to anyone
with a disability to any destination
served by the regular bus service.
Anyone wishing to use the accessible
service must be certified as disabled
by an MTD approved agency and the
MTD and then obtain a photo ID which
is valid for 3 years. (The ID may also
be used to ride the regular bus lines
free of charge.) Requiring only 24 hour
advance reservation, the service is
designed for anyone with a mobility
problem. Ruth cautions that flexibility
is required regarding timing. She has
developed such positive relationships
with the staff that one of the drivers
participated on her walk team this year!
Helpful Public Transportation Facts
Champaign Urbana Mass Transit
District: 217-384-8188
The key to navigating the Chicago public
transit system is to register with the
RTA to obtain a paratransit ID# and
card which then allows use of the
Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra
commuter rail and PACE suburban bus
system. The RTA is located at 175 W
Jackson Blvd in Chicago ; the RTA ADA
Certification Helpline can reached at
312-913-3122. Registration will require
the completion of an application packet(
with photo) which will ask for medical
information to verify disability as well as
an in-person interview.
The following numbers will assist in
obtaining all the facts regarding public
transportation in the Chicago area :
RTA/CTA Transit Benefit Program
1-800-531-2828
CTA services, including locations of
accessible rail stations
1-888-YOURCTA (968-7282)
ctahelp@transitchicago.com
Metra Passenger
312-322-6777
800-356-2079 (South Shore Only)
PACE Passenger Services
847-364-7223
passenger.services@pacebus.com |
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