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CONCERNED CITIZENS OF PARATRANSIT
STANDING UP FOR ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION
Mission Statement
"The purpose of this organization is to advocate for people with disability to ensure the needs of riders with disabilities are being met in order to secure equal benefits as afforded those riders of the fixed route transportation in accordance with, but not limited to, the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. "Through our efforts, we pledge to advocate for security, equality and ensure an equal opportunity to accessible transportation for all eligible paratransit riders. This transportation must not only be accessible, but also must be comparable in its benefits in every way to fixed route services.  By ensuring paratransit for people with disability meet these criteria, we hope to fulfill the goal of people with disability to participate FULLY in the social and economic life of the state as afforded them by the White Cane Act. 




Dear Governor Quinn,






Thank you for your successful negotiation of a transportation deal that freezes
fixed route fares through 2011 and adds additional funding to paratransit for 2010 
and 2011. However, paratransit fares in the Chicagoland area are set to increase 
approximately 33% EFFECTIVE SUNDAY, NOV. 15, 2009 and we are deeply 
concerned that there may be some facts you are not aware of. 






Please review the paratransit rider data we are providing below:






·        47.6% have annual household incomes below $10,000,



·        Up to 47.6% of paratransit riders survive on $674 a month (current 
         SSI payments). Just one round trip per day in a 30 day month will 
         eat up over 25% of SSI recipients monthly income!



·        While fixed route fares are frozen through 2011, paratransit riders are 
         quietly being subjected to an approximate 33% fare increase 
         EFFECTIVE THIS SUNDAY, November 15, resulting in $3 single ride 
         fares and $6 round trip fares. On top of this, Pace Suburban Bus revoked
         the monthly pass for paratransit riders!



·        80%  are African-American,



·        77.8%  have no household vehicle, and



·        58.4%  are 65 years or age or older!




We sincerely hope that you will utilize this pertinent information to make a crucial 
decision that encompasses all public transportation users, including Chicagoland’s 
most vulnerable and overlooked group; people with disabilities relying on 
paratransit service. 









Sincerely,




Name
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Who are we?
Concerned Citizens of Paratransit is a not for profit organization that has taken on the task of advocating for the disabled riders who ride the paratransit service.  The paratransit service is the transportation service put in place to accommodate those individuals who have met the qualifications and have been deemed eligible to ride the paratransit service.  For many riders, paratransit is their only means of transportation.  Therefore, they are unable to drive; they are unable to ride the fixed route bus service and cannot afford to hire someone to drive them around.

A majority of the paratransit riders are on a fixed income with an average income of $600 per month and are virtually powerless to advocate for themselves. There are approximately 40,000 eligible paratransit riders in the Chicago land area.  It is our goal to give a voice to the riders to ensure a forgotten people are treated with dignity and respectability.


 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT SB941
  Paratransit Legislation SB 941: Important Details! 
SB 941 is a paratransit funding bill that requires the RTA to fund
any ADA paratransit operating deficits and transfers the paratransit
 eligibility certification process to Pace Bus Co. as of Jan. 2010.
 The Pace Suburban Bus Co. is pleading with paratransit riders to support 
this bill whichthey say might *potentially* prevent the Pace boards 
paratransit fare hikes to 2X the amount of fixed route fares as of January 1.
However, there is actually NOTHING in SB 941 that protects riders from 
these extreme fare hikes proposed for Jan. 1!
Contact your House Legislators and ask for language to be added to SB 941 that:
- protects paratransit riders from fares Greater than fixed route fares,
- preserves eligibility certification process with the RTA to maintain impartiality,
- provides a paratransit monthly pass for City and suburban riders, and
- restores will-calls. 
 
Don’t let Pace Suburban Bus stick it to us again!
No more transit paratransit legislation
ABOUT US WITHOUT US!
 
 
Concerned Citizens of Paratransit
PHONE:  773-779-1856
FAX 773-779-2763
www.CCofP.org
Fundraiser:

Concerned Citizens of Paratransit is selling wallets to raise money to be used toward legal fees for riders on the paratransit service. Wallets are $5 each. Since the implementation of a zoning plan, disabled riders in the city of Chicago have seriously suffered. Many are unable to travel and cannot get to doctor appointments and other important places in a timely manner. Help Concerned Citizens fight to undo a terrible wrong. Do your part and purchase one of our wallets to show you are in agreement with our efforts. These wallets can be worn around the neck and can be very easily hidden beneath clothes. They are perfect for identification cards, passports, etc.  Some cell phones fit in them very nicely and they are perfect for traveling. Each wallet has the initials of Concerned Citizens of Paratransit (CCP), on it in white lettering on a black background. Each wallet is made of a denim type material with 3 pockets. The two pockets on the front zip and the third pocket on the back is a clear plastic slip pocket. The measurements of the wallet are 4¾ inches by 5¼ inches. Purchases may be made by clicking on the Buy Now link and placing your order. Those using screen reading programs may hear this link as "Add button" the first add button is the Buy Now link for PayPal.
WALLET = $5.00
Maybe you don’t want to buy a wallet, but you would still like to make a donation. You may do so by clicking on the paypal donate link . Those using screen reading software may hear this link as "Add Button".  The second "Add Button" link is the Paypal Donate link. We would like to thank you in advance for all your help and support.
Churches Urgent Help Needed!
-Concerned citizens is looking for a place that is wheelchair accessible to have a gospel concert, to further help in raising money for legal fees.  We are in the hope that this place can be donated for this concert.  We are also looking for talented individuals to give of their time and musical talents for this concert.  We are looking to hold this concert in either late September or early October.  Interested parties please visit our   contact us   page. 

Upcoming Events:
-Concerned Citizens of Paratransit is gathering support on specific paratransit issues to submit to the Department of Justice for the purpose of getting regulations changed.  Click on the feedback link and follow the instructions. Then show your support by filling out our form.  Anyone who is a Citizen of the United States can support our cause. feedback link 

-Concerned Citizens of Paratransit is collecting data to tell the true story of the rider’s experiences under the zoning system.  Please click on the rider feedback link and fill out the form.  Fill out as many forms as you feel are necessary to tell your story.  Only put one incident on a form please.  RIDER FEEDBACK LINK


 
 
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