Riding A Pace Bus: A Beginner's Guide To Getting Started (2024)

Riding A Pace Bus: A Beginner's Guide To Getting Started (1)

Pace Suburban Bus is a premier suburban transit provider, offering affordable and environmentally responsible public transportation services to residents of 274 municipalities across six counties. Pace covers 3,677 square miles, making it one of the largest bus services in North America. With over 139 fixed bus routes, Pace operates on set schedules and designated routes, providing accessible and inclusive services for all. Whether you're a first-time rider or a returning passenger, here's a step-by-step guide to help you navigate your way through the Pace bus system and make your journey a smooth one.

What You'll Learn

  • Finding your route
  • Boarding the bus
  • Paying your fare
  • Riding to your destination
  • Exiting the bus

Riding A Pace Bus: A Beginner's Guide To Getting Started (2)

Finding your route

Pace Bus offers a range of services to fit your specific needs. To find your route, you can use the following methods:

Fixed Route Service

The fixed-route service is the most popular option, with over 200 routes across 220 communities. These buses run on set schedules and designated routes, and are fully accessible with ramps, priority seating, and wheelchair securement areas. The service costs just $2 each way. You can find out where and when to board by using the published schedule.

Pulse

Pulse is the newest service, providing fast and frequent buses to heavily travelled areas. It is part of the rapid transit network and offers state-of-the-art amenities like free WiFi and USB charging stations, all for the same price as the fixed-route service.

On Demand

On Demand is a reservation-based, shared-ride service available in 11 zones. It costs $2 each way and can be booked by phone or online. Riders should be ready at least 15 minutes before their scheduled pick-up time.

Pace Express

Pace Express is a direct service that operates on a shoulder or flex lane, allowing riders to bypass traffic. It has limited stops and is designed with efficiency in mind.

Pace ADA Paratransit

Paratransit is a reservation-based service for riders whose disabilities or health conditions prevent them from using fixed-route services. This service is for passengers who have been certified for ADA Paratransit service and have booked in advance.

Digital Tools

Riders can also use a variety of digital tools to get real-time information about bus departures and arrivals. This includes the Pace Bus Tracker, which can be accessed on desktop or mobile, and the Transit app, which provides trip planning and real-time bus tracking. Additionally, riders can use text messaging services or the Ventra app to get bus arrival times.

Riding A Pace Bus: A Beginner's Guide To Getting Started (3)

Boarding the bus

Pace Bus is a premier suburban transit provider, offering affordable and environmentally responsible public transportation services to residents of 274 municipalities across six counties. Pace covers 3,677 square miles, an area nearly the size of the state of Connecticut and about 15 times the size of Chicago.

Pace operates more than 139 fixed bus routes that run on set schedules and designated routes. Each bus is fully accessible, with ramps, priority seating, hydraulic kneel functions for seniors and people with disabilities, wheelchair securement areas, and automated audio and visual route identification and stop announcements. Nearly every bus also has a bike rack that can hold two bikes.

To board a Pace bus, first, you need to find your route. You can do this by downloading the Ventra app or visiting the Pace website. Once you know your route, you can look up arrival times using the CTA bus tracker or the Ventra app. Make sure to arrive at the indicated bus stop a few minutes before the estimated arrival time and wait for your Pace bus to arrive.

When the bus arrives, ensure that the destination sign on the front of the bus matches your route. You can always double-check with the bus driver if you're unsure. Once you've confirmed it's the correct bus, board the bus, greet the driver, and pay your fare using cash or your Ventra card. The Ventra card is a contactless "tap" card that you can purchase online, at vending machines, or from regional retailers for $5. This one-time card purchase fee is immediately refunded upon account registration.

If you are a senior or a person with a disability, you can take advantage of the priority seating and hydraulic kneel function on the bus to ensure a safe and comfortable ride.

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Riding A Pace Bus: A Beginner's Guide To Getting Started (4)

Paying your fare

Ventra is the fare payment system for Pace and the CTA. Riders are encouraged to get a Ventra Card and register a transit account at ventrachicago.com or by calling 1.877.NOW.VENTRA. A new Ventra Card costs $5.00, and that one-time Card purchase fee is immediately refunded as transit value upon account registration. Registered Ventra Card users can load multi-day passes and transit value to their card, and have their balance protected if the card is lost or stolen. Pace offers many convenient, money-saving passes. See the Fare Information page for more detail.

Riders who pay cash pay more per ride than Ventra Card users, and cash payers can't take advantage of low-cost transfers to other buses and trains. Cash fares are also not accepted on the On Demand service.

Transfers are not available with cash payments; however, all riders using their Ventra account receive free transfers. A rider who boards a bus or train and then boards a second bus or train within two hours pays a discounted “transfer” fare on the second boarding. The transfer is only available when paying by transit value with your Ventra Card. The correct amount will automatically be deducted from your Ventra account when tapping on the second bus or train; there is nothing to show the bus operator. The rider's second transfer is always free. There is no “third transfer”; in that case, the rider pays full fare.

Students without a Ventra Card can pay $1.10 in cash (using exact change) after presenting a student ID. When paying cash, the 20-cent transfer fare is not available, and instead, the student rider pays a second $1.10 fare.

Riders can also use mobile wallets such as Samsung, Google, Fitbit, Apple Pay apps or their personal contactless bank cards.

Reduced fares and free rides are offered to those with RTA Reduced Fare or Ride Free permits. Free rides are also offered to children under 7 (maximum two children per fare-paying adult), law enforcement officers and firefighters in full uniform or presenting a badge, and active-duty military personnel in uniform.

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Riding A Pace Bus: A Beginner's Guide To Getting Started (5)

Riding to your destination

Pace Bus is a premier suburban transit provider, offering affordable and environmentally responsible public transportation services to residents of 274 municipalities across six counties. Pace covers 3,677 square miles, making it one of the largest bus services in North America.

Once you have found your desired Pace route using the Ventra app or website, you can look up arrival times using the CTA bus tracker or the Ventra app. Make sure to arrive at the indicated bus stop a few minutes before the expected arrival time.

When the Pace bus arrives, ensure that the destination sign matches your route instructions, and then board the bus. You can pay using cash or your Ventra card, and you can always ask the bus driver for assistance if needed.

After boarding, find a comfortable seat and relax during the ride. Each stop will be announced and listed on a digital screen at the front of the bus. Remember to listen for your stop and pull the string above the window to notify the bus driver when you hear it.

Finally, when the bus reaches your desired stop, proceed to the exit and step out safely.

Pace offers a range of inclusive services to meet different riders' needs, including fixed-route services, Pulse rapid transit, On Demand reservation-based rides, and Pace Express for direct travel. Additionally, Pace provides ADA Paratransit services for riders with disabilities or health conditions that prevent them from using fixed-route services.

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Riding A Pace Bus: A Beginner's Guide To Getting Started (6)

Exiting the bus

When you hear your stop being announced, pull the string above the window to notify the bus driver. You can also follow along with the digital screen at the front of the bus, which lists each stop. If you're unsure, you can always ask the driver for help. They are more than happy to assist.

Once the bus has stopped, make your way to the exit, being mindful of other passengers who might be entering or exiting. Be sure to give the driver a friendly wave goodbye as you step off the bus.

Exit through the rear doors, and always remember to check for oncoming traffic or obstacles before stepping out. Be cautious, as some Pace buses may have a higher step than you're used to.

If you require assistance, such as a wheelchair ramp, please inform the driver before your stop. Pace buses are equipped with ramps, priority seating, and hydraulic kneel features to ensure a safe exit for all passengers, including seniors and individuals with disabilities.

Once you've exited the bus, move away from the bus stop to make room for other passengers. Remember to collect all your belongings, and always be cautious of traffic when exiting the bus.

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Frequently asked questions

You can find your route by downloading the Ventra app or visiting the Pace Suburban Bus website. Once you know your route, you can use the CTA bus tracker or the Ventra app to look up arrival times.

The cost of riding a Pace bus depends on the route's fare class and the rider's eligibility for a reduced fare. A Ventra Card costs $5.00, and the one-time card purchase fee is immediately refunded upon account registration.

Pace buses offer priority seating, hydraulic kneel, ramps, wheelchair securement areas, and automated audio and visual route identification and stop announcements. Nearly every bus has a bike rack that can hold two bikes. Pulse buses also offer free WiFi and USB charging stations.

Riding A Pace Bus: A Beginner's Guide To Getting Started (2024)
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