Pace On Demand

An affordable ride is right outside your front door.

Pace On Demand offers a reservation-based, shared-ride service in 10 designated service areas throughout the suburban region. Reservations can be made up to 7 days in advance and as little as ten minutes prior to pick-up time, based on availability. Space is available on a first-come, first-served basis.

The new On Demand mobile app is the easiest, most convenient way to book, change, view, or cancel On Demand reservations. From your smartphone, download the app at the link below and get on your way! Also, you can continue to book online or call to reserve your trip.

On Demand is open to the general public, so anyone can book a trip and ride the service, as long as the trip starts and ends within one of the On Demand zones. For information on similar Paratransit-style services within northeastern Illinois, see our explanation of available services.

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Pace's On Demand service zones:

Pace On Demand services are easy to use

To use Pace On Demand, first make sure your desired pick-up and drop-off locations are within the On Demand zone. Then book a reservation at least ten minutes in advance of your desired pick-up time either by using the new On Demand app, online, or by calling the designated phone number. Maps, phone numbers and hours of operation are available on each On Demand schedule linked above.

Most On Demand services have certain scheduled stops. You can board the vehicle in those places without a pre-arranged reservation. Recurring trips (for example, every Tuesday at 2pm) may be scheduled as a subscription trip if the desired time slot is available.

Pace On Demand trips are affordable

The fare for the On Demand service is $2.00 per one-way ride, when using Ventra. Cash fare is $2.25 per one-way ride, exact fare is required; the driver does not make change.

Transfers to and from Pace fixed route bus service are also free when using the Ventra card. If paying cash, you pay full fare each time you board a Pace vehicle. Riders can also use mobile wallets such as Samsung, Google, Fitbit, Apple Pay apps or your personal contactless bankcards.

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.

Multi-day passes are accepted and may be purchased online at ventrachicago.com or at an authorized sales center. Sales center locations may be found here or by calling 1-877-NOW-VENTRA (1-877-669-8368).

Please note:

• If you are trying to plan a trip that might involve a combination of fixed route buses and trains as well as Pace On Demand, using the Transit app to plan that trip is your best option. That app is the only one that offers non-fixed-route options in the trip plan results. Even if you aren't sure what options are available at your origin or destination, the Transit app will show you how to get there.
  
  See the video tutorial below for reference. This video shows you how to get trip plans that could involve On Demand and how to get to On Demand booking from the Transit app when a trip calls for that.

[link to video tutorial needs to be updated]

• Pick-ups and drop-offs will take place in the most efficient order geographically. Drivers may combine individual trips to create shared rides. Other passengers' destinations may not be directly in line with yours, so your patience is requested as the driver attempts to serve all destinations in a logical manner.
• Riders who use the app or the online booking system get trip alerts (via the app, text message, email, or automated call) five minutes before their bus arrives. Visit Pace's online reservation website to create an account and start booking your trips online today!
• If you make a reservation but later determine that you need to cancel, please do so immediately. Drivers record as 'no-shows' passengers who reserve a trip but are not available for pick-up at the assigned time. Passengers who are recorded as 'no-shows' multiple times may be prohibited from using the service in the future.
• As a reminder, to ensure On Demand vehicles are available to serve as many passengers as possible throughout the day, the booking system includes a 45‑minute minimum period between trips for individual passengers in each service area. Please plan accordingly. The minimum period applies for all trips, whether booked online or booked by phone. However, the minimum does NOT apply for passengers transferring between two different service areas.
• If you call, the driver or dispatcher will inform you of your expected pick-up time. Please be ready at least fifteen minutes before your scheduled pick-up time. Trip reservations are granted on a first come, first served basis.
• If your call is not answered, leave a voicemail with your call-back number and you will be called back within one hour. Please do not call or leave messages before or after the services hours of operation. These calls will not be returned.