Pace Gets Approval to Reimagine Suburban Transportation Service

Pace announced its Board of Directors approved multiple initiatives, including a new Rideshare Access Program (RAP) modeled after the City of Chicago Taxi Access Program (TAP) and DuPage Uber Access Program pilot. 

The approval allows Pace staff to explore options for providing supplementary service utilizing transportation network companies (TNCs).

The RAP program will increase capacity offering with a user-side subsidy transit option, where Pace will pay up to $30, to all ADA paratransit customers in the six-county region.

RAP will allow Pace ADA paratransit customers the option to use rideshare services like Lyft, Uber, Uzurv, or Via in conjunction with ADA paratransit services.

Pace's Restructuring Initiative Approved

Pace’s Board of Directors also approved an ordinance for consulting services for a network revitalization and systemwide restructuring initiative.

Pace’s strategic vision plan, Driving Innovation, specifically mentions the need for implementing and innovating fixed-route transit in the highest-demand markets, while exploring the potential to harness technology and new or enhanced mobility solutions to provide more effective coverage services in lower-demand areas. 

“Due to the significant change in travel behavior over the last few years, it is important that we look at our fixed bus route network to reassess how service is provided and to develop a regional service network based on existing and projected future market demand,” said Melinda Metzger, executive director. “As transit emerges from the pandemic, it is expected that this process will highlight the demand for more suburban transit service than we offer today.”

Round Lake Area On Demand Program Proposal

A proposal to expand the Round Lake Area On Demand on a pilot basis was also approved.

With this expansion pilot, Pace will be able to provide additional flexible weekday service to a larger portion of western Lake County.

“I’m very excited about this project,” said director Linda Soto who represents Lake County. “The Round Lake Area has needed this for some time. [Route 570] is a long route, but it doesn’t serve a lot of pockets of Round Lake area which have had a big population explosion in the last decade.”  

Beginning Aug. 28, Pace will launch a pilot of an expanded Round Lake Area On Demand service that will more than double the size of the existing zone, using multiple vehicles, between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 6:15 p.m. on weekdays only.

Passengers will also be able to make additional first-mile and last-mile connections between Pace and Metra.