(L-R): Crystal Lake Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Catherine Peterson; McHenry County DOT Assistant Director of Transportation Scott Hennings; Hannah Cook representing Congressman Bill Foster; Pace Board Member Erin Smith; McHenry County Treasurer Donna Kurtz; McHenry County Board Member Carolyn Campbell; and Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger.
CRYSTAL LAKE, IL – Pace Suburban Bus today celebrated the launch of a new VanGo service in Crystal Lake during a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local elected officials and community leaders. VanGo provides commuters in the area with a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gap in their commutes and make it easier for them to access greater job opportunities in the McHenry County community.
“Riders reserve a VanGo vehicle, use it for round-trip travel to their work location, and return it at the end of the day. That model is especially important here because the purpose of VanGo is simple — helping people get to work,” said Pace Board Member Erin Smith, who represents the McHenry County area. “Crystal Lake has strong employment opportunities, and reliable transportation is essential to making sure workers can reach those jobs.”
Pace continues to add more commuter-friendly transit services to better meet the region’s travel demands and deliver more options for riders. Pace now operates nine VanGo service zones in the region after having launched VanGo services in University Park, Geneva, and now Crystal Lake this year alone.
The service allows commuters to reserve a vehicle for round-trip travel within a designated service zone. Once registered, users can unlock a vehicle with a code, make their local trips, and return the van at the end of the day. The Crystal Lake VanGo is stationed at the Pingree Road Metra Station and intended for commuters needing transportation to reach their jobs after using the region’s traditional transit network to begin their commutes.
“VanGo is an innovative and practical option for commuters who face challenges getting from a train station or transit stop to their workplace,” said Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger. “VanGo helps address those challenges by filling critical first- and last-mile gaps to employment centers, especially in areas where traditional fixed-route service is not practical. VanGo supports employers by expanding access to their worksites, and it helps workers by making the commute more manageable, predictable, and affordable.”
The Crystal Lake VanGo is available to commuters for $5 a day, offering an affordable and reliable option for riders to complete their workday trips. Pace manages all vehicle maintenance, insurance, and fueling, allowing riders to simply reserve, unlock, and go. VanGo integrates seamlessly with Pace routes and Metra service, strengthening the regional transit network while supporting workforce access at an affordable operational cost.
Drivers must be at least 21 years old and meet standard requirements, including a valid driver’s license, proof of insurance, and a clean driving record. Registration and additional information are available at PaceBus.com/VanGo.
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Pace Suburban Bus safely and efficiently moves people to work, school, and other regional destinations with its family of public transportation services. Pace offers affordable and environmentally responsible transit options for the residents of 274 municipalities in Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry counties. The backbone of Chicago's suburbs, Pace serves tens of thousands of daily riders. One of the largest bus services in North America, Pace covers 3,677 square miles, an area about 15 times the size of the City of Chicago. Pace's innovative approach to public transportation gives the agency a national reputation as an industry leader.