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RTA awards $1.75 million to Lake County; ADA paratransit action plan will impose ride caps on some shared services
Summary
RTA staff told the Lake County committee on Sept. 3 that the regional transit authority recommended $1,750,000 in federal Section 5310 funds to Lake County (with a local match) and that an ADA paratransit action plan effective Oct. 1 will cap rides for certain shared‑ride/taxi programs while leaving traditional ADA service uncapped.
RTA officials briefed the Lake County Public Works and Transportation Committee on Sept. 3 about regional grants, program updates and forthcoming changes to paratransit services.
Kate Peterson, mobility outreach coordinator at the RTA, said the RTA Board on Aug. 21 approved a program of projects for the federal Section 5310 program (which funds enhanced mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities) and that the regional awards total roughly $16,000,000 to 16 projects. She said Lake County is recommended to receive $1,750,000 in federal funds with a matching local contribution, and that the RTA will forward the package for federal approval, which is typically successful.
Zach Braun, government affairs lead for the RTA, gave updates on the regional transit budget and on paratransit program changes. Braun said the RTA’s board approved funding marks for the 2026 operating budget, which the RTA estimated at about $2.6 billion systemwide, and that a one‑time shift of about $75,000,000 in discretionary funds was made to better align services regionally; he emphasized the RTA expected no service reductions in Lake County.
On paratransit, Braun said the ADA paratransit action plan takes effect Oct. 1 and will impose a cap on rides for the shared‑ride and taxi access programs offered by PACE; he stressed that traditional ADA paratransit service, for riders eligible under the Americans with Disabilities Act, will remain uncapped. Braun said the cap responds to a budget shortfall driven by rapidly increased ridership in those programs.
Peterson also said the RTA’s regional dial‑a‑ride coordination study and new transit guides (nine guides now on the RTA website) will help customers find local on‑demand and subsidy services. Braun noted a Transportation Tuesday webinar series starting Sept. 9 covering regional transportation topics.
What county officials asked and noted
Committee members welcomed the funds and asked whether Lake County’s Ride Lake County system would benefit; Peterson confirmed the Section 5310 award and matching funds were for Ride Lake County. Members also asked for details about the proposed caps; Braun said the caps apply only to the shared‑ride/taxi access programs and that traditional paratransit rides remain available without the new caps.
Ending
RTA staff said they will follow up with details and links; county officials said they appreciated the update and asked for further information on the paratransit changes as the Oct. 1 effective date approaches.
