Priority Seating is for People with Disabilities and Seniors
July 17, 2015
July 17, 2015
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace join the more than 56 million Americans with disabilities in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The law, signed by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990, ensures the civil rights of people with disabilities. The legislation established a clear and comprehensive national mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities and has expanded opportunities for people with disabilities including the provision of accessible public transportation services that help to eliminate barriers and enable full participation in community life.
The RTA region’s accessible transit system provides a vital link to community activities for people with disabilities and older adults. A primary goal of the ADA is to enable people with disabilities to have equal access to fixed route bus and rail service so that they can fully participate in daily life activities such as work, education, shopping, recreation and other trips.
A simple red, white and blue sign labeled “Priority Seating” appears on CTA, Pace and Metra vehicles throughout the RTA service area stating: “Priority Seating is for customers with disabilities and seniors. Please move when requested.” Blue and white decals clearly mark specific priority seating and wheelchair securement areas.
“If you are sitting in a priority seating area, please offer your seat to someone who needs it when they board the bus or train,” says RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden. “As we celebrate this anniversary, the RTA reminds riders that ‘priority seating’ on the region's buses and trains is intended for people with disabilities and older adults. Please be considerate and offer your seat.”
Regional transit riders with disabilities are available for media interviews related to the ADA anniversary. Please contact Susan Massel at massels@rtachicago.org for more information.
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About the RTA
The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is the only transit agency charged with regional financial oversight, funding, and transit planning for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace bus and paratransit. Riders take more than two million trips each weekday on the RTA region’s transit system in six counties with 7,200 transit route miles throughout Northeastern Illinois. The Agency also provides customer services including online and telephone travel planning assistance and travel training for seniors and people with disabilities. For more information, visit www.RTAchicago.org.
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