Trying to balance its budget, the RTA, or Regional Transportation Authority, needs to bring down costs.
Starting Wednesday, a popular program for paratransit riders is being significantly reduced.
Curtis Harris works with Alliance for Community Services, and was glad to have use of the Rideshare Assistance program, or RAP.
"I feel terrible because it affects all riders with disability that depend on (the) RAP program I've been using tremendously. It (has) benefited me since January," Harris said.
He said using public transportation is more difficult, and Pace paratransit buses take too much time.
"I could call within a moment's notice and get a ride. With Pace paratransit traditional services, you have to book your ride a day in advance," Harris said.
For now, paratransit riders can have unlimited rides with traditional Pace rides but only 30 rideshares a month.
Prices are also going up $1.25 per trip.
"It's going to hit people really hard at a time that's already really hard," said Laura Saltzman, transportation policy analyst with Access Living.
Saltzman said those with disabilities are disproportionately low-income with fewer resources for transportation.
RELATED: RTA Board shifts $74M from Metra, Pace budgets to CTA as fiscal cliff looms
"I think it will be devastating for a lot of disabled people who have really found freedom and ability to participate in society and be with people (in) a different way because of this program," Saltzman said.
Maggie Daly Skogsbakken is the chief communications officer for Pace. She says the whole system will likely face cuts in service and perhaps increases in fares.
"We are still exploring other options to try and find sustainable funding," she said.
She says they hope to increase rides with the RAP program someday.
"We are really hopeful this was a good program; we saw what works. We know it works; we just have to find the funding," Daly Skogsbakken said.
More changes are expected for Pace, Metra and CTA in the coming months.
Wednesday is also the first of two virtual meetings to inform riders about Pace's Pulse Cermak Line Project.
It would provide Pace service between the CTA Pink 54th-Cermak station in Cicero and the Yorktown Center in Lombard.
Wednesday's meeting is in English and begins at 6 p.m.
Thursday's meeting is in Spanish.
For more information, visit https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_KqZV0vgwScudLAnbxvyZMw#/registration.