CTA, Pace To Resume Fare Collection On Buses, Stop Rear Boarding

CHICAGO — After suspending bus fares during the coronavirus pandemic, the Chicago Transit Authority and Pace said they will begin collecting fares again starting Sunday, for CTA, and Monday for Pace. Both transit agencies will also stop rear-door boarding, which officials said is no longer necessary due to other safety measures in place.

According to the Chicago Tribune, ridership has been down 80 percent for CTA busses and 75 percent for Pace, but riders are slowly starting to return.

Last week, CTA launched an online tool to let riders know when busses are too crowded to maintain social distancing. Officials with CTA and Pace said drivers and passengers will be required to wear masks while riding busses, citing the governor's April 30 executive order, and both agencies will continue to deep clean vehicles, limit seating and encourage social distancing.

"As Chicagoans return to work and discover their 'new normal,' we welcome them back and encourage them to stay safe by planning ahead using the new dashboard tool and to continue to follow the new habits we've all embraced over the past three months," CTA President Dorval Carter in a news release.

Pace said it will monitor demand and reintroduce services as resources allow and people return to work and regular activities. In addition, it will continue to schedule single-passenger ADA Paratransit trips as ridership allows and waive fares on City of Chicago Taxi Access Program trips until further notice.

"Our priority remains the safety of our passengers and personnel," Pace said in a news release. "Pace is a vital service that provides crucial transportation access for the communities we serve, including transportation for many essential workers traveling to and from their places of employment. We take that responsibility seriously and will continue to do our part to prevent the spread of COVID-19."

Before returning, Pace asks passengers to:

• Wear a facemask on Pace buses (per Executive Order 2020-32)
• Wash your hands, cover your cough, don't touch your face, and stay home if you are sick
• Give operators and other riders space; board and take your seat promptly
• Reconsider unnecessary travel
• Use your Ventra Card to pay fares quickly and limit crowding at the front of the bus
• Check if service is running regularly on your route
• Ride with a personal care attendant if you need physical assistance
• Please exit through the rear door whenever possible