Issue 2 PaceBus.com Spring, 2013 Pace’s Bus on Shoulder Program to Expand Since Pace’s Bus on changes would maximize Shoulder Program began positive impacts for the in 2011, ridership on Route highest number of riders. 755 and Route 855 have Many passenger suggestions increased dramatically as are included in this plan, passengers take advantage of which is effective May 6, faster, more reliable service 2013. between the southwest Route 755 will have new suburbs and Chicago. Pace morning and evening trips, is pleased to announce that minor timing adjustments service will be adjusted and and a new evening trip from increased on these routes Chicago Union Station that flexibility and convenience. between destinations to to attract and accommodate will also serve Bolingbrook, New, alternating, evening provide a faster ride. Minor additional riders, reduce Lemont, Lockport and Joliet express trips will provide adjustments to arrival and commute times and reduce Union Station upon request. direct service to I-55 Park- departure times of roughly overcrowding. 5-9 minutes will also occur. Route 855 will have new n-Ride locations. Between In December, 2012, Pace morning and evening trips, 4:15pm and 5:45pm, when For more information and surveyed customers to as well as a new midday buses operate every 10-15 new schedules, please visit investigate what service round trip to offer better minutes, trips will alternate PaceBus.com. New Pace Routes for Commuters Affected RTA RIDE FREE PROGRAM UPDATE by CTA Red Line Closure Begin May 6, 2013 For Qualifying Seniors and People with Disabilities During the CTA Red Line South 348, 349 and 354 conveniently construction, which is scheduled connect to the new express routes Effective July 1, 2012, Illinois Cares Rx was ter- to begin on Sunday, May 19, 2013, at the Harvey TC and/or Blue Island minated and the Circuit Breaker Property Tax Re- Pace will operate two temporary PnR. lief Grant was eliminated due to a lack of funding weekday express routes from Blue by the state. A new program, called the Benefit South suburban residents also Island and Harvey. Passengers have the option of connecting Access Program, has been established to qualify will be dropped off at State St. to CTA Route J14 Jeffery Jump individuals for the following benefits: and Roosevelt Rd. in Chicago thanks to new routing on Pace • Seniors Ride Free Permit (also referred to as where they may transfer to the Route 353. This route begins at CTA Red/Orange/Green Lines at the Seniors Free Transit Ride) the Pace Homewood Park-n-Ride the Roosevelt Road Station. • People with Disabilities Ride Free Permit and serves Calumet City, South (also referred to as the Persons with Disabilities Pace Route 924 will operate Holland, Dolton, and Riverdale weekdays only from the Pace before connecting with the CTA Ride Free Transit Ride) Harvey Transportation Center J14 at the CTA Stony Island / • Secretary of State License Plate Discount (Harvey TC) where commuters can 103rd Garage Terminal. This Seniors and people with disabilities who are en- park their vehicles all day for $1.50. routing change is permanent. rolled in the Illinois Department on Aging’s Ben- Pace Route 925 will operate On May 19, 2013, boarding efit Access Program are eligible to ride free on weekdays only from the Pace Blue locations at the CTA Red Line Pace, CTA and Metra fixed-route services. To be Island Park-n-Ride (Blue Island 95th/Dan Ryan Station will determined eligible for these benefits, you must PnR) where commuters can park change. Pace Route 381 will submit a Benefit Access Application to the Illinois their vehicles all day, free of charge. board/alight passengers on the Department on Aging on the Internet at www.state. east side of the bus terminal; Pace Pace Routes 385, 350, 364, 352, il.us/aging. Paper applications are not available. NEW PACE ROUTES continued on back Introducing Ventra: Pace’s and CTA’s New Way to Pay Pace and CTA will soon transition to ensures we’re staying in step with the Ventra™, a convenient new payment demands of our customers.” system that will let customers use a single fare card for regional transit Pace and CTA will continue to offer throughout Chicago and the suburbs. special fares and money-saving passes, With Ventra, traveling throughout the like the Commuter Club Card and the region will be easier and more efficient Campus Connection Pass, and will still than ever before. accept cash on buses. Customers will also eventually be able to use compatible Ventra will be available in summer 2013, mobile phones to pay for train and bus customers plenty of time to use old and will allow customers to pay for rides rides. The transit agencies retain full passes and make the transition to Ventra. with the same payment method they use control of their fare structures while In 2014, all CTA and Pace fare media, for everyday purchases. Customers can enabling customers to easily transfer including the Chicago Card and Chicago choose from the following contactless between both services using the same Card Plus, will be replaced with Ventra. payment methods: Ventra Cards, Ventra form of payment. Customers are encouraged to visit Tickets for single-ride and 1-day passes, ventrachicago.com for information and personal bank-issued debit and Ventra Cards and fare products will be and to sign up to receive updates as credit cards equipped with a contactless sold at vending machines in rail stations, Pace and CTA implement the new fare chip. Customers will simply “tap” any and will be made available at up to 2,500 payment system. of these contactless payment cards to retail locations throughout Chicago and quickly board trains and buses. the suburbs. Many of the locations will NEW PACE ROUTES continued from front be within blocks of Pace and CTA bus Route 352 will board/alight passengers “We are eager to provide this new stops and CTA rail stations. on the west side of the bus terminal; convenience to our customers because and Pace Routes 353, 359 and 395 will Ventra will be available to all customers it modernizes our fare system using board/alight passengers along Lafayette in summer 2013. During the second the latest technology,” said T.J. Ross, Avenue. Wayfinding signage and bus half of 2013, both new and existing Executive Director of Pace. “Remaining stop signs will help guide passengers to fare media will be accepted, giving current with emerging payment methods the appropriate boarding locations. Express Service to Popular Destinations; Relax and Leave the Driving To Pace! Pace operates express bus service to many events Service Departure Location(s) * Free parking and activities in the suburbs and Chicago. Express Allstate Arena Express CTA Blue Line Rosemont Station Services to Popular Destinations (ESPD) let riders $1.75 relax on a comfortable Pace bus on their way to Wrigley Field Express Pace Northwest Transportation Center* and from their favorite events. Riders of these $4.00 Yorktown Center in Lombard* U.S. Cellular Pace South Division, Markham express routes get the added bonuses of avoiding Field Express Metra SouthWest Service Palos Heights Station cost and hassles of driving in traffic and parking $4.00 (upper level near the station)* at a major venue. Metra SouthWest Service Oak Lawn Metra Station* Pace Old Chicago (Bolingbrook) Park-n-Ride* Exact fare ($4.00 or $1.75, depending on the route) Pace Burr Ridge Park-n-Ride* is required to board the bus each way. Call Pace’s Tinley Park Burlington Coat Factory (BCF) - North Lot* ESPD Line at 847-228-2416 or visit PaceBus.com for Toyota Park Express CTA Orange Line Midway Station departure location addresses and more information. $1.75 Great America Express Pace Northwest Transportation Center* $4.00 CTA Blue Line Rosemont Station What’s New? Soldier Field Express Pace Northwest Point - Elk Grove Park-n-Ride* $4.00 Pace Northwest Transportation Center* Pace RideShare Launches New Website Metra SouthWest Service Palos Heights Station Pace has upgraded to a new version of its carpool (upper level near the station)* and vanpool matching website at PaceRideShare. Metra SouthWest Service Oak Lawn Metra Station* Pace Old Chicago (Bolingbrook) Park-n-Ride* com. New features include improved map Pace Burr Ridge Park-n-Ride* displays, social media integration, ability to have Yorktown Center in Lombard* multiple commute profiles and much more! Log NU Ryan Field Express Pace Northwest Transportation Center* on to PaceRideshare.com today. $4.00 .