[il-talk] Fwd: Pace Moving Forward: February 21, 2014

Tue Feb 25 05:48:36 UTC 2014

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: 	Pace Moving Forward: February 21, 2014
Date: 	Fri, 21 Feb 2014 23:11:25 +0000
From: 	Govt Affairs <govt.affairs at Pacebus.com>
To: 	Govt Affairs <govt.affairs at Pacebus.com>

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Pace External Relations

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Pace Moving Forward
Volume 11, Issue 3
February 21, 2014

Pace looks back at 2013, ahead to 2014

At the February meeting of the Pace Board of Directors, Pace Executive Director T.J. Ross reported on several initiatives from 2013 to provide a snapshot of the successes over the year along with presenting some of the agency's goals for 2014. Overall, 2013 was very stable from the standpoint of maintaining the pattern of steady year-to-year ridership increases and finishing the year favorable to budget.
New and expanded bus service and route restructuring projects helped to ensure ridership remained strong while maximizing efficiency throughout the system. Between 2012 and 2013, ridership across all Pace services increased by 2% to 39.924 million. This includes 2.4% growth in vanpool ridership and a combined average daily ridership increase of 132% on routes 755 and 855 between 2011 and 2013- the time period in which those two routes have had access to the shoulders of Interstate 55. The restructuring of some Lake County service in November is expected to increase ridership through adding service on corridors with high demand and improving on-time performance. Service enhancements to existing routes on Interstate 90 have also resulted in ridership gains.
Pace also fared well in 2013 from a financial perspective, with both its Suburban Service (comprised of fixed route bus, vanpool and non-ADA Dial-a-Ride) and Regional ADA Paratransit budgets finishing the year under budget. Ridership gains helped with revenue and expenses were controlled through continued efficiency.
In 2014, Pace will continue its work to convert its South Division  facility in Markham to operate compressed natural gas (CNG) buses by 2015. Full implementation of the Ventra fare system, in partnership with CTA, will occur during 2014 along with coordination efforts with Metra. Development of Arterial Rapid Transit service on Milwaukee Avenue will also continue. A new program to provide real-time information signage at bus shelters is already underway. These are just a few examples of Pace projects and goals for 2014. To share feedback, please contact us through our social media channels or visit Pacebus.com.

Pace to serve March 1 Blackhawks game

Don't drop the ball by driving to the game when the Blackhawks drop the puck at Soldier Field. Fans will have an option for traveling to and from the March 1 game that's as smooth as sharp skates on fresh ice. That's because Pace will operate the Soldier Field Express from seven free, suburban Park-n-Rides directly to the stadium. Fans pay only $4 each way for a stress-free alternative to driving to the game.
Every win is important for the Blackhawks as they work toward winning another Stanley Cup," said Pace Chairman Richard Kwasneski. "We're excited to do our part to pack Soldier Field with fans to cheer on the Blackhawks."
Typically packed with Bears fans during football season and audiophiles to select concerts, the Soldier Field Express operates from free Park-n-Rides in Schaumburg, Elk Grove, Lombard, Bolingbrook, Burr Ridge, Palos Heights and Oak Lawn. Depending on the location, buses will depart between 4:00 PM and 5:30 PM for travel to the 7pm game. All buses leave the stadium 30 minutes after the end of the game. Specific locations and times of departure are available at PaceBus.com.

Photo caption (not related to the content above): Pace Executive Director T.J. Ross joined Governor Pat Quinn to announce the reconstruction of the Barrington Road interchange on the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway. The new interchange will facilitate development of new Pace express service on I-90.

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