L-R: Pace Board Director Terrance Carr; Pace Board Director Linda Soto; Illinois State Representative Michelle Mussman; Illinois State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro; Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison; Illinois State Representative Nicolle Grasse; Illinois State Senator Darby Hills; Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger; Pace Board Chairman Rick Kwasneski; Pace Board Director Rachel Arfa; Pace Board Director Bill McLeod; Village President of the Village of Streamwood Billie D. Roth; Schaumburg Village President Tom Dailly; Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse; and Pace Board Director Christopher Canning.
SCHAUMBURG, IL — Earlier today, Pace welcomed local and state officials to officially open the region’s first ADA Paratransit Transfer Facility at the Northwest Transportation Center in Schaumburg with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The multi-million-dollar project, funded predominantly through the State of Illinois’ Rebuild Illinois program, represents a major investment in suburban transit infrastructure and accessibility. In addition to the new transfer facility, the project delivers expanded passenger amenities, including a modern indoor waiting area, real-time travel signage, a Ventra vending machine, and expanded park-n-ride capacity with new EV charging stations.
“Pace is proud to deliver this investment in transit infrastructure for the northwest suburbs, improving access and comfort for the communities we serve,” said Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski. “This project shows what’s possible when transit is supported — and with your partnership, there’s much more we can achieve together.”
The new ADA Paratransit Transfer Facility is the first of its kind in the region, providing a safe, comfortable, and efficient transfer point for riders with disabilities. By centralizing connections and improving amenities, Pace is enhancing mobility for some of the region’s most vulnerable populations.
“Today, thanks to critical investment through Rebuild Illinois, we celebrate this new passenger facility, a space designed to improve accessibility, comfort, and convenience for our riders. It reflects our commitment to enhance ADA paratransit service and improve the passenger experience for all our riders,” said Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger.
Local and state leaders joined Pace to celebrate the milestone, including Illinois State Representative Michelle Mussman; Illinois State Senator Darby Hills; Illinois State Representative Nicolle Grasse; Illinois State Representative Jennifer Sanalitro; Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison; Schaumburg Village President Tom Dailly; Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse; Pace Board Member and Hoffman Estates Mayor Bill McLeod; Pace Board Member and Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities Rachel Arfa; Pace Board Member Christopher Canning; Pace Board Member Linda Soto; and Pace Board Member Terrance Carr.
The Northwest Transportation Center serves as a key hub for bus and paratransit connections in the northwest suburbs with hundreds of daily boardings. This project reflects Pace’s commitment to innovation and accessibility in the communities it serves.
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Pace Suburban Bus safely and efficiently moves people to work, school, and other regional destinations with its family of public transportation services. Pace offers affordable and environmentally responsible transit options for the residents of 274 municipalities in Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry counties. The backbone of Chicago's suburbs, Pace serves tens of thousands of daily riders. One of the largest bus services in North America, Pace covers 3,677 square miles, an area nearly the size of the state of Connecticut and about 15 times the size of the City of Chicago. Pace's innovative approach to public transportation gives the agency a national reputation as an industry leader.