PACE BOARD APPROVES 2006 BUDGET AND BUS PURCHASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 10, 20054:00:00 PM
Media Release Office: (847) 228-4295
Contact: Patrick Wilmot (847) 228-4295

A 2006 budget was approved by the Pace Board at their November 9 meeting. It does not call for any general fare increases or service reductions. As a result, few people attended the budget public hearings. The budget is being submitted to the RTA (Regional Transportation Authority) and Pace officials are meeting with them soon to discuss paratransit costs and the funding outlook.

Pace will be adding 96 new vehicles to its fleet as part of a contract the Board authorized that allows the purchase of up to 222 buses over the next five years. The 30 foot buses, which are accessible with low floor ramps and have fully cushioned seats, are being purchased from El Dorado National. They should begin arriving late next year to replace vehicles dating from 1993 to 1997. Pace Executive Director T.J. Ross said Pace was able to buy more buses because estimates came in well under budget by more than $25,000 per vehicle. He added that one of the benefits of the agency’s Intelligent Bus System (IBS) is the data compiled on routes and riders allowing buses to be assigned more effectively. Because Pace has better information to determine passenger distribution, they can get more for their money with these less expensive, slightly smaller sized buses.

Ross also reported on October ridership estimates. As they have every month this year, Pace gained riders in October 2005 with a 6.6% increase over October 2004; year-to-date Pace ridership is up about 8% over last year. Pace vanpools, which reached the 500 mark in April, now total 588.

The Regional ADA Paratransit Plan is going to be presented to the Pace Board in December. Comments are still being received on the draft plan. Pace Lake County Board member Richard Welton stressed the importance of a seamless transition when Pace takes over the CTA’s ADA services in July 2006. He assured both City and suburban riders there won’t be a change in their services.

The Pace Board meets again on Wednesday, December 7 at 4:30 p.m. at Pace Headquarters, 550 West Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, Illinois. More information on Pace and its services can be found at www.pacebus.com.

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