Pace’s Proposed 2026 Budget Maintains Current Suburban Service; Includes 10% Fare Increase

Regional ADA Paratransit budget funds RAP and TAP programs through March
 

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — At its October 2025 meeting earlier today, the Pace Board of Directors approved the release of the agency’s proposed 2026 Operating and Capital Budget for public review. Pace’s Suburban Service Operating Budget is balanced to the Regional Transportation Authority’s (RTA) funding marks, which are 3.1% lower than 2025 funding levels. This proposed budget maintains current suburban fixed route service levels and invests in critical infrastructure.

“Thanks to years of fiscal discipline, Pace can maintain service into 2027, but we must also plan responsibly for the future. These hearings will give the public a chance to weigh in on these important decisions,” said Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger.

Like many transit agencies across the country, Pace and our peer agencies are approaching a fiscal cliff as federal relief funds expire and operating expenses rise. The 2026 Suburban Service Operating Budget includes a proposed 10% average fare increase for all services as directed by the RTA. This is Pace’s first fare increase since 2018. 

“Pace is committed to providing as much service as possible with the funding that we have available,” said Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski. “We know this will be difficult for some riders, and these are not easy decisions.”

The proposed budget also includes $13.8 million in operating efficiencies through the delay of planned service improvements, a hiring freeze, and other administrative expense reductions. 

The 2026 Regional ADA Paratransit budget is balanced to the RTA-approved funding levels with a proposed fare increases from $3.25 to $3.50 for all ADA services. The budget also maintains the RTA-mandated 30-trip cap on Pace’s Rideshare Access Program (RAP) and Taxi Access Program (TAP) services, which are funded to operate through the first quarter of 2026.

Pace will hold nine public hearings across its six-county service area to present its proposed 2026 budget, capital program, and financial plan. Hearings will take place October 17–28, 2025, including one virtual session to ensure broad accessibility. The full schedule is available here: Public Hearings on Pace's 2026 Proposed Budget | Pace Suburban Bus.

Pace’s 2026 proposed budget balances fiscal responsibility with the agency’s commitment to providing safe, reliable, and accessible public transportation. The agency invites riders, stakeholders, and community members to participate in the public hearing process and share feedback.

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Public Hearings

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.