Congressman Sean Casten and Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger in front of Pace’s first electric paratransit bus.
BURR RIDGE, IL – Earlier today, Pace and local officials unveiled the agency’s first electric paratransit vehicle. Pace received the 15-passenger, accessible vehicle earlier this year thanks to Community Project Funding secured by Congressman Sean Casten. This vehicle represents a milestone for Pace’s Project Zero plan for the transition to a zero-emissions fleet by 2040.
“I was thrilled to secure the federal funding for the brand new all-electric Pace buses. These buses will lower fuel costs, make our environment healthier and cleaner, and work to combat climate change in Illinois,” said Congressman Casten.
The Community Project Funding of $1 million allows Pace to purchase five new battery-electric paratransit buses to replace existing fossil-fuel buses at Pace’s River Division in Elgin. The new vehicle, a Coach and Equipment Phoenix bus, will be placed into service in the western suburbs later this year after training and vehicle testing are complete.
Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger welcomed Congressman Casten to Pace’s Burr Ridge Park-n-Ride, a popular station for the agency’s successful I-55 express bus service, which uses the shoulder of the Stevenson Expressway. “As exciting as our I-55 express service is, today we’re here to celebrate another Pace success story—that of our climate change mitigation efforts,” Metzger said. “Pace’s legacy of progress and innovation has led us to this vehicle you see today—which is better for passengers, easier for our bus operators, and cleaner for the environment. We are grateful for Congressman Casten’s support of our efforts.”
Pace is committed to the goal of operating 100 percent zero-emissions vehicles by the year 2040. Pace recognizes its responsibility for pollution reduction as an operator of hundreds of vehicles across the region. This is why one of Pace's top priorities is to reduce its carbon footprint and improve the quality of the region’s environment. Learn more about Pace’s zero-emissions efforts here.
As Pace celebrates 40 years of service, the agency is pleased to report that overall ridership is at approximately 78% of 2019 ridership levels, and ADA paratransit service ridership is already over 100% of 2019 levels. To thank existing passengers and encourage people who are not regular riders to try transit, Pace is offering a weekend of free rides on June 8 and June 9. This anniversary special is an opportunity to experience the convenience and benefits of public transportation at no cost. Metra is also offering free rides this weekend, so passengers are encouraged to utilize both services to attend popular events in Chicago and the suburbs or otherwise explore the region.
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 nearly the size of the state of Connecticut and 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.
