COVID-19 Update
As Pace focuses on responding to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Phase 2 of the North Shore Transit Service Coordination Plan is temporarily on hold. We will post an update when our work on the project resumes, so be sure to check back regularly or sign up for email updates.
More information on how Pace is responding to COVID-19 is available at PaceBus.com/Health.
Overview
The proposal was guided by input from transportation professionals and community stakeholders and includes streamlined routes, increased frequency on arterial roads, reduced waiting times, better connections to CTA trains, and an overall improvement to the public transportation network in North Cook County.
The Phase 2 proposal includes:
- Changes to five routes: 215, 225, 226, 422, and 423
- The addition of one new route: 424
- The discontinuation of two routes: 210 and 421.
For more information about the proposed project:
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- Click here to subscribe to ongoing text or email updates on this project.
Summary of Changes
Route 210 - Discontinue, as certain portions are served by existing segments of Routes 82, 96, 97 and 250, and certain portions would be served by proposed restructured segments of Routes 215, 226 and 423.
Route 215 - Realign to Jefferson Park Transit Center via Crawford (Pulaski)-Foster-Milwaukee. Maintain existing frequency on new route segments.
Route 225 - Add bidirectional service and extend weekday service span.
Route 226 - Realign to Howard CTA via Oakton-Skokie-Howard. Remove service on Niles Center Road (Route 225 segment). Add Saturday and Sunday service east of Milwaukee. In Des Plaines, stay on Oakton instead of serving downtown Des Plaines via Busse-Miner and Lee-Mannheim.
Route 421 - Realign to Howard CTA via Oakton-Skokie-Howard. Remove service on Niles Center Road (Route 225 segment). Add Saturday and Sunday service east of Milwaukee. In Des Plaines, stay on Oakton instead of serving downtown Des Plaines via Busse-Miner and Lee-Mannheim.
Route 422 - Restructure to terminate in downtown Glenview; pick up school trips from Route 421.
Route 423 - Restructure to serve Harlem to Glen of North Glenview only; North of Dempster, shift alignment from Harlem to Waukegan Road (Route 210 segment).
Route 424 - NEW ROUTE - Linden CTA Station to Glen of North Glenview via Sheridan-Elm-Hibbard-Willow-Old Willow (Route 423 segment).
For more information regarding school trips serving Loyola Academy, Regina Dominican High School and New Trier (Northfield), see the school handout titled
. At this time, there are no changes proposed to school trips serving Evanston Township High School.
Pace is listening to you!
Several public hearings regarding the proposed changes have recently concluded with almost 200 people attending the six hearings that were held in Chicago, Glenview, Niles, Northbrook, Evanston, and Wilmette. Over 100 people provided in-person testimony about how the service changes will affect their trips to medical facilities, high schools, and employment. Additionally, Pace has have received over 1,000 written comments.
All feedback provided is currently being considered and a revised plan will be presented to the Pace Board of Directors in the coming months. Pace Bus thanks all riders and stakeholders that took time to let us know their thoughts on the plan.
Additionally, we will post updates as the proposal progresses so be sure to check back regularly or sign up for email updates. If the Phase 2 plan is formally approved, Pace staff will then conduct additional public outreach to inform our riders and other stakeholders of any upcoming changes.
Project Overview
The study, completed in 2017, included a review of existing Pace and CTA bus routes serving the North Shore study area, which included the communities of Evanston, Lincolnwood, Skokie and Wilmette, and northern-most neighborhoods in the City of Chicago, as well as portions of neighboring communities. The primary goal of the study was to identify and plan for coordinated improvements of Pace and CTA bus service in the study area, as well as to investigate opportunities for new service.
PLEASE NOTE:
- Final Report
- Due to resource constraints, some of the proposed service changes identified as the "future phases" of the original 2017 study are not included in the current Phase 2 proposal. Those changes are still under consideration.
Public Input
The project Steering Committee (SC) was comprised of representatives from key agencies and municipal staff. SC participation was an important component of the study, helping to guide the incorporation of market findings into actionable recommendations and providing important perspectives on project goals, measures of success, technical elements and community outreach strategies.
The SC convened five times over the course of the study. Information on the dates, locations, agendas and presentation files for each of the five meetings, as well as SC membership can be found in the Final Report.
Pace and CTA hosted two rounds of Open House sessions to collect public input in 2016-17 as the plan was being developed.
Round 1 Open House sessions were held at the Chicago Public Library Rogers Park Branch on October 4, 2016 and at the Lincolnwood Community Center on October 5, 2016 and featured presentations about the study's market analysis and preliminary service analysis. Feedback was collected on the data analysis to date, issues and perceptions of existing service, and identification of critical gaps in the transit network. Click on the link below to view the exhibit boards presented in Round 1.
Round 2 Open House sessions were held at the Skokie Public Library on September 18, 2017 and at the Levy Center in Evanston on September 19, 2017 and focused on giving the public an opportunity to review and comment on proposed updates and changes to Pace and CTA routes in the North Shore area as a result of this study. Click on the link below to view the exhibit boards presented in Round 2.
A Market Analysis Briefing Book, produced in March 2017, provided a condensed summary of all existing conditions assessments that were completed for the study. It includes highlights from the passenger and general public surveys that were conducted in the spring of 2016, Pace and CTA ridership and on-time performance data, demographic analysis and other market-based findings. The Briefing Book established a set of recommendations based on the market analysis, which was used to develop and evaluate service concepts.
Phase 1
Phase 1 of the study's recommendations were implemented on August 12, 2018. Phase 1 included the realignment of Pace Routes 208 and 213 and the elimination of CTA Route 205.
Phase 2
Phase 2 is currently in progress and includes changes to five routes: 215, 225, 226, 422, and 423; the addition of one new route: 424; and the discontinuation of two routes: 210 and 421.
Future Phases
Any remaining service proposals outlined in the North Shore Coordination Plan that were not included in Phase 1 or as part of the proposed service changes for Phase 2, may be considered in future years. Public hearings and stakeholder meetings will take place before any future phases of the study are implemented. you can subscribe to ongoing email updates on this project.