Starting June 27, Pace Connect is a new late-night ride hailing service near O'Hare Airport and Harvey. For only $2 or less per trip, anyone can take a ride within a designated zone to accommodate first/last mile transportation needs during times when fixed route public transportation isn't readily available. Pace Connect is powered by Via.
Pace Connect
The latest innovation from Pace has launched!
How do I use Pace Connect?
Pace Connect is open to the general public but all rides need to be individually reserved. Rides can be booked by the Pace Connect mobile app or by phone at 847-793-1151. Rides on Pace Connect O’Hare Businesses must start or end at the Rosemont Transit Center. Rides on Pace Connect Harvey Area must start or end at Pace's Harvey Transportation Center. Click on either of the buttons below for more information on the service and detailed instructions on how to book a ride in the app.
Please also note that Pace Connect services are displayed as an option in the Transit app's trip planning feature, but only when you plan a trip during hours that Pace Connect is available.
When does Pace Connect operate?
Pace Connect O’Hare Businesses operates daily between 11:30pm – 5:30am. Pace Connect Harvey Area operates on Tuesday--Friday 12 a.m. – 5 a.m.; Saturday 11 p.m. – Sunday 6 a.m.; and Sunday 11 p.m. – Monday 5 a.m.
Where can I ride Pace Connect?
Pace Connect is currently offered in two distinct zones. The first zone (called O'Hare Businesses) includes the Rosemont Transit Center and O'Hare Airport's cargo area, as well as several hotels. See map of the zone here. Commuters heading to jobs in this area of the airport can take Pace fixed routes or the CTA Blue Line to Rosemont and then use Pace Connect for a direct ride to their workplace. The second zone (called Harvey Area) includes the Harvey Transportation Center and vicinity. See map of that zone here. Commuters heading to or from Pace Route 352 at Harvey can use Pace Connect for a direct ride to or from surrounding communities.
How do I book a Pace Connect ride?
The easiest method of booking a Pace Connect ride is by using the app on your mobile phone. Please note a few tips that may help:
- You can only book a ride in the Pace Connect app during the (nighttime) hours when the service is available. Booking a ride in advance (for instance, two hours from now) is not possible. You can only request a ride at the time you need it, with pickups taking place within a few minutes.
- You can only book a pickup location that is inside the service zone. So, if you're attempting to reserve a ride while you are outside the zone (in anticipation of soon being inside the zone), you must manually enter a pickup location that is the place inside the zone at which you will soon be arriving (perhaps while riding fixed route transit to the transportation center).
You can also book a ride by calling 847-793-1151, but you must place that call during the hours of Pace Connect service.
Is Pace Connect only one leg of your journey?
While using the Pace Connect app, if you enter a location in the 'to' or 'from' fields which is not within a Pace Connect zone, you will see an error message because the Pace Connect service only offers rides within a defined zone. However, you are able to plan a trip from outside the Pace Connect zone by using the Transit app. That app will show you (if you use it during a time when Pace Connect is operating) trip plan results that include Pace, CTA, and Metra fixed route services, in addition to Pace Connect options. For instance, I can get from Chicago to a workplace in Markham by taking Pace Route 352 to the Pace Connect Harvey Area service. The Pace Connect ride needs to be booked in the Pace Connect app or by phone, separate from the Transit app, but using the Transit app shows you the full range of possibilities to get to your destination.
How do I pay for my Pace Connect ride?
You have the choice to pay for Pace Connect in the app (at the time of booking) or by tapping your Ventra Card in the Pace Connect vehicle. Cash is not accepted. To pay in the app, choose the debit/credit card option. Your card will be charged the $2.00 fare. To pay with your Ventra Card, choose the option in the app to pay with Ventra. The driver will know that you need to pay by Ventra Card when you board. At the time of boarding, tap your Ventra Card on the Ventra reader in the vehicle. For that option, you'll be charged as if you boarded any other regular Pace service--$2.00 if it's a first ride, 30 cents if it's a transfer from CTA, free if it's a transfer from Pace regular fixed route, and no charge if you use an active pass.
Who is eligible to ride Pace Connect?
Pace Connect is open to the general public. Those without a smartphone can book rides by phone at 847-793-1151.
Thanks to our project partners
Pace Connect is made possible in part by grants from Cook County and the Regional Transportation Authority. Intergovernmental partnerships are often critical to Pace's ability to create innovative, new programs such as this one. Thank you!
