Chicago’s Pace were joined by local officials to break ground on a new ADA Transfer Facility adjacent to the Northwest Transportation Center in Schaumburg, Ill.

The project, made possible by Rebuild Illinois funding, will transform a critical hub for paratransit with new assets that promote accessibility, expand capacity, and enhance comfort and aesthetics for people with disabilities and other commuters.

The improvements to the site include the demolition of the former Schaumburg Post Office and the renovation of an existing facility that will accommodate customers, for the first time, with indoor waiting area and public restrooms. The concept was informed by feedback from Pace’s ADA Advisory Committees and reinforces the agency’s commitment to advancing the accessibility and equity of its service, a key aspiration of its strategic plan.

The Grand Opening

Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski opened the celebration by welcoming guests with a special acknowledgement of Illinois State Representative Michelle Mussman, whose district the transit center is in. “I want to thank Representative Mussman for her support as she voted for the Rebuild Illinois capital bill that is funding this project,” he said. “Thanks to that support, Pace can invest in transit infrastructure in the northwest suburbs to improve access for those we serve.”

Also in attendance was Pace Director and Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod who introduced the esteemed line up of speakers, including Rep. Michelle Mussman, Rep. Mary Beth Canty, Rep. Nabeela Syed, Schaumburg Trustee Jaime Clar, Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger, and Pace Suburban ADA Advisory Committee Chairperson Jemal Powell.

Before introducing Powell, Metzger said, “I could not think of a better way to celebrate Disability Pride month than with a groundbreaking for the construction of a new fully accessible ADA Paratransit Transfer Facility.”

She noted Pace’s efforts to enhance ADA Paratransit Service throughout the region by leveraging technology to improve passengers’ experience with features like "Where’s My Bus," which allows passengers to track their rides similar to Uber and Lyft; departure boards at popular destinations so passengers can see the status of their trip in real time; and a recently launched transit app where passengers can access real-time information on Pace service and connections with its sister agencies the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Metra, and, coming soon, Pace’s On Demand services.

The New Transportation Center

The Pace Northwest Transportation Center is a major hub with over 1,000 daily boardings for Pace service, including I-90 Express buses which utilize the Illinois Tollway I-90 Flex Lanes to bypass congestion and connect commuters to the CTA Blue Line at Rosemont.

The new transit center and ADA Transfer Facility will include two new dual-port car charging stations, with capacity for four electric cars, an expanded drop-off area, and new Pace branded signs with real-time bus departure information. New sidewalks will provide pedestrian access from Mall Drive and Kimberly Drive to the bus terminal, and parking capacity will increase from 192 spaces (six ADA) to 301 spaces (eight ADA) to support the popular I-90 Express services.

Other improvements include landscaping and site furnishings, seating, Ventra ticketing, and digital and audio bus arrival information.