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The City of Chicago and metropolitan areas offer a complete line of public accessible trains, special transit buses and specially equipped vans that provide curb-to-curb service for persons unable to use the general public routes. There are additional options for private taxis, medicars, and transportation for medical transport.
Please note that wheelchairs and scooters must meet certain standards for size and design. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the public transportation providers have limited space (not mandated) to accommodate “non-common” wheelchairs on either the accessible fixed route or ADA Para transit trips. The standards say that a wheelchair should be 30 inches wide (wheel rim to wheel rim) by 48 inches long and not weigh more than 600 pounds when occupied. If you have questions about a wheelchair, contact the CTA, Metra, Pace, or the RTA.
Public Transport
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Benefit Access Program Benefits - Benefits Access (illinois.gov)
Provides free rides on the CTA, Metra, and Pace to any person with a disability who is enrolled in the Benefit Access Program.
1-800-252-8966 (have SS# on hand)
Chicago Transit Authority - CTA Buses & Train Service - 1-888-YOUR-CTA - CTA (transitchicago.com)
All CTA buses are equipped with lifts and ramps. Some EL stations are accessible to persons using wheelchairs with elevators. For information about services, CTA elevator status hotline, or to request maps and schedules.
888–968–7282 ; TTY 888–282–8891.
For New Riders | Pace Suburban Bus (pacebus.com)
Fixed–route, wheelchair accessible bus service throughout the suburban area and pre–arranged pickup service for those who are eligible, according to disability. Transportation is available in all suburban areas within three–quarter miles of the fixed route service.
Call (847) 364-PACE (7223), option 3
ADA Paratransit Service |Regional Transit Authority (RTA )
People who cannot use the CTA and Pace can apply for the RTA ADA Paratransit Certification. ADA Paratransit Certified customers are entitled to wheelchair accessible car or van service for both medical and non–medical use. To begin the process for certification:
- One can call 312-663-4357 to express interest in RTA’s Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Paratransit Certification Program and obtain a flyer explaining it.
- Once you review the flyer and have determined that Paratransit service is the best transportation option for you to pursue, you can call RTA Mobility Services Helpline, 312-663-4357 (HELP). Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- If you already have the flyer, you can let the RTA person know this when you call and that you would like to set up an interview.
Metra (metrarail.com)
Accessible commuter trains throughout the six–county metropolitan area. Trains are adapted for people with mobility, vision and hearing disabilities.
312- 322-6777
Taxi and Medicar Transport
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Taxi Access Program (TAP) – RTA ADA
https://www.pacebus.com/tap
Allows ADA Paratransit Service certified riders to use Chicago taxis at reduced rates. Users can call a taxi company to schedule a trip or hail a cab on the street. To enroll in TAP dial 833-722-3827. Passengers can request a wheelchair-accessible (WAV) taxicab ride in Chicago by calling 888-WAV-CABS (1-888-928-2227)
Rideshare Access Program (RAP)
https://www.pacebus.com/rap
Rideshare Access Program (RAP) is a a new option for eligible RTA-certified ADA paratransit riders. To request enrollment in RAP, complete the RAP Enrollment Form. Within approximately two weeks after Pace’s approval of a request for enrollment in RAP, the subsidy will be available in the enrollee’s rideshare provider account to apply to the cost of a trip at the time of booking.
Questions regarding RAP should be sent to RAP@pacebus.com
Curb Mobility | Building the Transportation Network of Tomorrow (gocurb.com)
Call 24/7 to request a WAV cab for immediate pickup or to pre-arrange a trip.
Centralized wheelchair accessible vehicle WAV taxicab dispatch service for Chicago. Call 1-888-928-2227 or download CURB app on your phone
Dial-A-Ride
http://www.dialaridetransit.org/
1-800-500-5505
LyFT ridesharing
Download the app or call
1 (855) 865-9553
TrekIT (trekworldusa.com)
Download the app that sorts through non emergency medical transportation options. The app has the option to bill Medicare/Medicaid directly. 1 833 873-5872
(303taxi.com)
Provides wheelchair-accessible vans with lifts and ramps for travel between Chicago and the suburbs, but not for travel between suburbs
847-303-0303
Connections to Care – More than a ride. A connection.
Transportation to and from medical appointments. All passengers must be able to get into and out of a vehicle independently and live within the NW Suburban Cook County area. Not wheelchair accessible.
847-222-9227 https://connectionstocare.org/need-a-ride/
Wheelchair Transportation Medical Services Chicago Medivan (acmedtran.com)
Provides non-emergency wheelchair transportation for medical and therapy appointments, nursing homes, and an online reservation and information request system.
630-568-3850
All-Ways Medical Carriers – Here to accommodate all your special needs
Non–emergency wheelchair accessible transportation for medical appointments, school transportation, airport shuttles, and appointments in northern suburbs of Chicago.
800-709-0700 847-279-2740 (Out of state)
Fast Trak Medivan (fasttrakmedicar.com)
Private company located in Mount Prospect, IL. Non–emergency wheelchair accessible transportation. The private pay service is available 24 hours a day, six days a week to transport persons in the northern suburbs and Chicago.
847-707-4137
SCR Medical Transportation (scrtransport.com)
Private transportation located in Chicago.
773-768-7000
Transportation Services and Solutions | First Transit
https://www.firsttransit.com/
The central dispatch company for all companies that provides wheelchair accessible taxis and mini-vans in Chicago. Services are available 24/7. Vans have lifts for scooters and wheelchairs so people do not have to transfer. The fare is the same for accessible vans as for regular taxis. Reservations taken by phone only, not online.
708-924-4017
Q Transport [no website]
Private wheelchair accessible transportation for the elderly and people with physical disabilities. Provides 24/7 door to door assisted service in the Chicago area. Luxury vehicles available.
773-967-6401
Tootl Transport Wheelchair Accessible Transportation | Healthcare Facilities (specialneedschicago.org)
Provides transportation for persons with physical and cognitive challenges in Chicago and the suburbs. The company provides wheelchair and ambulatory transportation on a non-emergency basis around the clock.
630-668-9999
Uber
https://www.uber.com/
independent taxi rideshare – not for medical transport
Download the app to start services.
Ambulance Transport
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Superior Ambulance Service
https://www.superiorambulance.com/
Ambulance and helicopter services for emergency medical needs in the greater Chicagoland and northwest Indiana area. Medi–Car also provides door–to–door non–emergency, wheelchair accessible transit service for patients with special needs throughout the Chicagoland area. Superior Ambulance also services areas of Illinois outside of Chicago, Indiana, and Michigan including helicopter service. Med Transport offers long-distance transport options
800-832-2000
