Beep Beep: Creating Transportation Independence for Individuals with Disabilities.

At GiGi’s Playhouse, we provide FREE programming to individuals with Down syndrome from a prenatal diagnosis through adulthood. It’s such a blessing to see our participants in their various life stages, learning and growing with us each year! As our participants grow and change, so do their needs, and their families needs.

As our adults start to enter new phases of their lives, such as graduation from high school, or beginning a career, it is common that transportation becomes a barrier to access programming, services, or career opportunities during the day. A large portion of our adult participants take some sort of public transportation to the Playhouse, whether it’s the local township bus, PACE bus, or Uber. Those services are great, but can come at a cost, and can often be confusing to register for. This blog is here to help answer some of your most asked questions.

Introducing Pace’s Rideshare Access Program (RAP) RAP is Illinois’ newest option for ADA paratransit riders, that started in March of 2024. It is a more convenient option than ADA paratransit. Riders can book at a moment’s notice and it is also less expensive. RAP allows ADA-eligible riders to receive a PACE replacement vehicle to provide transportation, such as Uber or UZURV. This program also offers a subsidy of trips up to $30 in value for just a $2.00 fare.

Am I Eligible For RAP? Individuals are eligible for RAP if their ADA certification will not expire in the next 3 months, they are not enrolled in PACE’s Taxi Access Program, and they have an account with Uber or UZURV.

How Does RAP Work? Eligible riders enrolled in RAP will only be responsible for the first $2.00 of the cost of the trip taken with Uber or UZURV, if the destination of the trip is within PACE’s ADA paratransit service area, as long as the trip is less than $30.00. Riders will be responsible for: – the portion of the trip that exceeds $30.00 – surcharge – drive tip

If you have any questions about RAP, you can email: RAP@pacebus.com Click here to go directly to the application and PACE website: https://www.pacebus.com/rap