Pulse Milwaukee Line: Frequently Asked Questions

The Pulse Milwaukee Line is live and in service as of August 11, 2019!

See the Pulse Milwaukee Line Schedule here.

Pulse is Pace’s new rapid transit service that provides frequent, fast, and reliable transit. Pulse service combines technologies such as Transit Signal Priority (TSP) and limited-stop service with roadway improvements such as raised platforms to reduce travel times and provide greater rider amenities.

What is the Pulse Milwaukee Line Project?

The Pulse Milwaukee Line was identified as Pace’s first corridor for implementation of a rapid transit service. This route was selected based on strength of existing transit service, benefits to local and regional transit connectivity, existing and projected ridership and local community support. The Milwaukee Line is 7.6 miles in length and serves the Village of Niles and City of Chicago. The service operates, in mixed traffic, along Milwaukee Avenue between the Golf Mill Shopping Center and the Jefferson Park Transit Center.

Where are the Pulse Milwaukee Line terminals?

The northern terminus of the Pulse Milwaukee Line is the Golf Mill Shopping Center in Niles, on the south end of the mall. The southern terminus is the Jefferson Park Transit Center. At Jefferson Park, connections are available to the Metra Union Pacific Northwest Line, CTA Blue Line, and numerous local CTA and Pace bus routes. Connections are available at multiple points elsewhere along the route to several Pace and CTA bus routes.

Where are the Pulse stations located?

See the current list of boarding locations and station locations map .Stations are located roughly every half mile between Golf Mill Shopping Center and the Jefferson Park Transit Center. Intermediate stations are at Dempster Street, Main Street, Oakton Street / Oak Mill Mall, Harlem Avenue / Howard Street, Touhy Avenue, Devon Ave / Haft / Highland, Austin Avenue / Ardmore Avenue, and Central Avenue.

How were station locations determined?

Station locations were determined based on an analysis of Pace ridership patterns, site constraints, and safety conditions, and in coordination with the Chicago Department of Transportation, Chicago Transit Authority, Village of Niles, Illinois Department of Transportation, and Federal Transit Administration. Other considerations important to determining station locations included sidewalk connections, proximity to other stations and to other bus routes, transit signal priority benefits, impacts on adjacent property owners, and public input.

What Do Pulse Stations look like?

How are bicycles accommodated on Pulse Service?

Like all Pace fixed route buses, Pulse buses are equipped with bike racks. Additionally, most Pulse stations are equipped with a bicycle rack for parking and locking your bike.

How often does service operate?

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pulse Milwaukee Line's service is operating at 15-minute frequency on weekdays between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m., when it then switches to 20-minute frequency until midnight. On Saturdays, Pulse service begins at 5:30 a.m., and on Sundays, Pulse service begins at 6:00 a.m. Service on both Saturday and Sunday runs until midnight. On weekends and holidays, Pulse runs every 15 minutes until 10:00 p.m., when it transitions to every 20 minutes.

For the complete current schedule click here - Pulse Milwaukee Line Schedule

What kind of buses are used to provide Pulse service?

The initial fleet of Pulse vehicles are ElDorado Axess 40-foot low floor buses. These vehicles have the capacity to seat up to 43 passengers, ADA-compliant front and rear passenger doors with a ramp, a 14-inch step height at both doors, and a bicycle rack mounted on the front. While these vehicles are similar to those being purchased as part of Pace’s ongoing fleet replacement program, the Pulse vehicles are enhanced in several ways, including a Pulse-branded exterior, in-vehicle Wi-Fi service, USB charging outlets, as well as digital route maps with a next-stop display inside the bus.

How do local Pace and CTA fixed route services operate in relation to the Pulse service?

Local Pace and CTA routes continue to operate along the corridor with the Pulse Milwaukee Line and make stops at the Pulse stations as well as other existing local bus stops. Pace Route 270 continues to provide service along the corridor, making all local stops.

The Pulse Milwaukee Line does not replace Route 270, see Route 270 details . Pulse complements local service by providing amenities at the most popular boarding locations between the Golf Mill Shopping Center in Niles and the Jefferson Park Transit Center in Chicago. The Pulse station locations are strategically located to serve current Pace riders along the corridor. The Milwaukee Line service terminates at the Golf Mill Shopping Center, but other Pace routes will serve the area north of Golf Mill. Pace anticipates that many current Route 270 riders will use the Milwaukee Line, and reduced the frequency of service on Route 270 as of August 11, 2019.

Does the new Pulse Milwaukee Line travel faster than the Route 270 service?

Travel times on the Pulse Milwaukee Line are approximately 25% faster than local 270 service due to the reduced number of stations/stops, benefits from innovative technology such as Transit Signal Priority (TSP), and other elements including increased boarding efficiencies resulting from the raised platform.

What is Transit Signal Priority (TSP)?

To improve on-time performance and schedule reliability, Pace is implementing a Transit Signal Priority (TSP) system along all of its planned Pulse lines. TSP enables Pace’s computerized intelligent bus systems to communicate with the traffic signal system without any action taken by the bus driver. If a bus is running behind schedule, the system allows the bus to send a request to the traffic signal network to either shorten a red light or extend a green light.

TSP does not interfere with signal preemption systems used by emergency response vehicles. Additionally, traffic signal controls are programmed to deny the vehicle’s request for a timing adjustment if traffic conditions would be negatively impacted. In other parts of the Pace service area, TSP resulted in travel time improvements of up to 20%.

Are there plans for future Pulse lines that will connect to the Milwaukee Line?

There are indeed plans for future Pulse lines throughout northeastern Illinois. The next Pulse service to be implemented will be the Dempster Line, which will provide service from Evanston to O’Hare International Airport via Des Plaines. In addition to the Dempster Line, several additional planned Pulse lines will also intersect and connect with the Milwaukee Line. Timetables for the implementation of additional lines are under development. Learn more about Pace’s long-term vision for the Pulse network.