(L-R): Pace Board Member Terrance Carr; Thornton Township Assessor Cassandra Holbert-Elston; Pace Board Member and Commissioner of the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Rachel Arfa; Calumet City Alderwoman Shalisa Harvey; ; Illinois State Representative Will Davis; Calumet City Alderman Ramonde D. Williams; Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski; Calumet City Mayor and Illinois State Representative Thaddeus Jones; Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger; Calumet City Alderman DeJuan Gardner; Calumet City Alderwoman Monet Wilson; and Valencia Williams from the Calumet City Economic Department.
Officials break ground on the region’s second paratransit transfer facility, making transit more connected and accessible
CALUMET CITY, IL – Celebrating alongside federal, state, and local leaders, Pace earlier today welcomed the start of another construction project that continues the agency’s long-standing commitment to advancing accessibility and inclusion for the many people who rely on public transportation in northeastern Illinois.
Dozens of elected and community leaders officially broke ground on the project during a ceremony at the future home of the new Calumet City Paratransit Transfer Facility. The capital improvement project, funded predominantly through the State of Illinois’ Rebuild Illinois program, represents the region’s second dedicated ADA Paratransit transfer facility. The upgraded facility will make daily travel easier, safer, and more comfortable for people with disabilities, seniors, and others who rely on public transportation in the south suburbs.
“This project is a testament to what can happen when local governments, state leaders, and transit agencies work together with a shared vision,” said Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski. “Beyond improving transportation options, projects like this drive economic development. Construction projects support good-paying jobs, and better transit access connects people to employment, education, healthcare, and commerce.”
The new Calumet City Paratransit Transfer Facility will feature modern amenities such as an enhanced indoor waiting area and restrooms, as well as improved connections between fixed bus routes and paratransit services.
“I'm grateful to Pace for choosing Calumet City to house this beautiful facility that will benefit the residents of Calumet City and beyond. I am most impressed with the planning and thought process around enhanced accessibility. The facility provides a safe and comfortable transfer point for riders with disabilities, centralizing connections and improving amenities,” said Calumet City Mayor Thaddeus Jones.
“As one of the nation’s largest paratransit providers, Pace takes pride in leading the way on accessibility and innovation. Everything we do focuses on improving the experience for our riders and expanding opportunity for all,” said Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger. “The improvements in Calumet City ensure our region remains accessible and inclusive, giving people the freedom and independence to get where they need to go.”
Once complete, the transfer facility will feature six new paratransit bus bays equipped to serve the more than 3,500 boardings that occur at the facility on average each month. Along with paratransit service, this building will facilitate transfers between Pace Routes 353, 358, and 364.
The project represents another step forward for accessible public transportation in northeastern Illinois. The start of the Calumet City Paratransit Transfer Facility follows Pace’s unveiling last month of the region’s first dedicated ADA Paratransit Facility at the Northwest Transportation Center in Schaumburg.
Many elected and community leaders joined Pace to celebrate the start of the Calumet City project. Speakers included Calumet City Mayor and Illinois State Representative Thaddeus Jones; Illinois State Representative Will Davis; Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski; Pace Board Member and Commissioner of the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Rachel Arfa; and Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger.
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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 more than 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.