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CTA reports sharp rise in reduced-paratransit and ADA rides after October policy change
Summary
CTA staff said May 2026 data show more than 3.7 million ADA-related rides over March–May and a near-tripling of reduced-paratransit weekday trips following an October 2025 policy change that expanded free fixed-route access for paratransit cardholders and aligned wrap-and-tap pilots.
CTA presented May 2026 ADA ridership data showing a notable increase in both fixed-route and reduced-paratransit use after an October 2025 policy change.
Paul Murray, manager of ADA ridership, summarized the agency's data: "Over the past three months, there have been a little over 3,700,000 ADA-related rides," he said, and added that bus accounted for roughly 3,000,000 of those trips and rail about 700,000. Murray said reduced-paratransit weekday trips increased from roughly 1,500 before the policy change to about 4,500 in May; monthly reduced-paratransit rides rose from about 35,000 to roughly 80,000.
CTA staff explained the increase resulted primarily from two changes: allowing paratransit cardholders to take free rides on fixed-route CTA and PACE services and associated wrap-and-tap pilots that made transfers easier. Molly Coppi, CTA’s planning lead in the meeting, said the policy change was a twofold change enabling more free fixed-route trips and linking to ongoing fare and tap initiatives.
Committee members asked whether the ridership increase is sustainable and what it means for service capacity and cost. CTA said it is working with regional partners (RTA, PACE) to monitor caps on programs such as RapidTap and to ensure paratransit cardholders can access adequate fixed-route alternatives rather than being pushed into costlier or unavailable options.
Members also raised concerns about ride refusals by TNC (Uber/Lyft) drivers for service animals and asked where to report incidents. Committee members were told to report incidents both to companies and to the Department of Justice when appropriate.
What happens next: CTA will continue monitoring ridership, coordinate with regional partners on RapidTap and paratransit strategy, and provide follow-up data and operational analysis to the committee.
