L-R: Fox Lake Mayor Donny Schmit; Lake County Board Member John Wasik; North Chicago Mayor Leon Rockingham; Lake County Board Member Marah Altenberg; Lake County Board Vice-Chair Mary Ross-Cunningham; Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger; Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski; Pace Board Member Linda Soto; Lake County Chair Sandy Hart; Illinois State Representative Joyce Mason; Round Lake Mayor Russell Kraly; Waukegan City Clerk Janet Kilkelly.
WAUKEGAN, IL – The electric transformation of Pace Suburban Bus reached a major milestone today when state and local officials joined agency leaders to break ground on the renovation of Pace’s North Division Garage. The project will create the region’s first bus facility designed to support an all-electric fleet and move forward Pace’s transition to a zero-emission fleet.
The upgrades to this facility places Waukegan at the forefront of Project Zero, Pace’s initiative to reduce pollution and honor statewide climate goals by converting its entire bus fleet to zero-emissions technology by 2040. By launching this effort in Waukegan, Pace is prioritizing communities historically impacted by industrial pollution and economic disinvestment, ensuring they benefit from the agency’s clean energy transition.
"Today marks another step forward in Pace’s commitment to a zero-emission future," said Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski. "We already have a few zero-emission and hybrid buses in service, but this facility will take our sustainability efforts to the next level. Once completed, North Division will have the capacity to charge and house a fleet of 60 zero-emission buses."
The electrification of the North Division Garage is being funded through Rebuild Illinois and federal grants. Pace estimates that fully achieving Project Zero will require approximately $2.5 billion which includes facility upgrades and vehicles.
"Pace is incredibly proud of our commitment to operating a zero-emission fleet, and I am proud of our personnel for embracing this operational change. Our North Division Garage has always been a major contributor to Lake County, providing public transit to the residents including essential workers, seniors, people with disabilities and students, so I am glad we can make this critical investment to Waukegan," said Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger.
"This project is one of the most important milestones in Pace’s journey towards operating a more sustainable fleet, and I am thrilled that this milestone is taking place here in Lake County," said Pace Board Member Linda Soto.
The first zero-emission buses are expected to operate out of Waukegan by late 2025 following the installation of 12 chargers and the construction of a covered outdoor charging facility. The second phase of the project, expanding and modernizing the entire garage, is expected to be completed by 2027.
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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.