Pulse Rapid Transit Service

Introducing Pulse

As part of Pace’s strategic vision plan, Driving Innovation, Pace has committed to expanding its network of arterial bus rapid transit service called Pulse. Pulse provides premium limited-stop bus service to commuters featuring enhanced amenities and a streamlined route design in heavily traveled corridors of Chicagoland.

On August 11, 2019, Pace launched Pulse Milwaukee Line, serving thousands of commuters between Niles and Chicago and Pulse Dempster Line started on August 13, 2023 bringing fast, frequent service between Evanston and O'Hare Airport.

Pulse offers a variety of benefits compared to regular fixed route bus service including:

Faster service with limited stops
Free Wi-Fi and other amenities on Pulse-branded buses
Modern, easy-to-find branded stations with heated shelters, pavement snowmelt system and real-time bus arrival information
Faster boarding and improved accessibility
Easier ADA accessibility with raised bus platforms at all stations

Priority Corridors for Future Development

In addition to the Pulse Milwaukee and Pulse Dempster lines, there are three corridors currently in project development including Halsted, 95th Street, and Cermak.

Also, five future corridors (Harlem, Touhy, Western, North, and a southern extension of the Pulse Halsted Line) are also part of Pace’s near-term Pulse priority corridor network. Routing, station locations, and other local transit access improvements will be developed in the future. These corridors were selected to build upon existing ridership and to provide competitive mobility and connectivity for those living and working along existing and future Pulse lines.

The status of project development for each corridor is depicted on the maps below.

Pulse Priority Corridors Map

Implementing Pulse Service

Pace continually evaluates corridors and tracks planned developments to ensure that investments enhance the transit system.

As part of the planning process, Pace assesses Pulse funding needs and applies for state, federal, and/or local grants for implementing Pulse project phases. Typically, these funds are used to complete preliminary planning work, fulfill federally-mandated environmental review requirements, engineering, construction, vehicles, and operations. Given the level of investment associated with Pulse, Pace continues to look to local partners to support this program with transit-friendly infrastructure and development in order to maximize regional transportation dollars.

Support Pulse’s Success

Pace encourages roadway agencies, municipalities, and developers to incorporate Pace's Transit Supportive Guidelines. This document provides a range of solutions that support the operation of all Pace services. In 2024, Pace updated the document with a Pulse Addendum. The addendum illustrates and explains station types, bus priority treatments, roadway design conducive to Pulse, implementation needs such as utilities, and policies that partners such as municipalities can enact to make Pulse a success.

Further, Pace engineers can provide complementary technical reviews of preliminary transit infrastructure designs associated with new developments, roadway improvements, and other changes in land use and infrastructure. Pace encourages developers, municipalities, roadway officials, businesses, and others to contact Pace's transportation engineers at Transportation.Engineer@pacebus.com for assistance with planning and designing such improvements.