Pace Suburban Bus Celebrates 40 Years With A Weekend Of Complimentary Rides

Pace is expressing gratitude to its loyal riders with a weekend of free rides on June 8 and June 9, marking the start of their 40th anniversary celebrations. This initiative allows the community to experience the benefits of public transportation at no cost. It also provides an opportunity for non-regular riders to become more familiar with suburban transit services.

Metra is also offering free rides this weekend, encouraging passengers to use both services to attend popular events in Chicago and the suburbs or explore the region. Recent data from the American Public Transportation Association indicates growing weekend ridership and suburb-to-suburb commuting as emerging trends that transit agencies could leverage to regain riders amid changing commute patterns.

Pace is already making strides toward capturing a greater share of the weekend commuting market by expanding service frequency on Saturdays and Sundays on Routes 318 and 381, starting June 2. This expansion builds on a trend of growing ridership on existing services. Pace's weekend fixed route boardings in March 2024 increased 33 percent from March 2023 figures, and April 2024 saw a 31 percent increase from April 2023 figures.

For four decades, Pace has been a cornerstone of public transportation in the region, offering safe and efficient services that connect communities, reduce traffic, and promote environmental sustainability. In addition to a free weekend of rides, Pace is planning on-board Transit Ambassador outreach, a ribbon-cutting for a new administrative building in Markham, and a station dedication and community event at the Joliet Transportation Center as part of their anniversary celebration this summer.

"Forty years is a significant milestone for any organization. We’ve provided access to transportation through rain, snow, heat waves, and a pandemic," said Melinda Metzger, Executive Director of Pace. "We are excited to give back to the communities that have supported us through the years by offering a weekend of free rides. It’s our way of saying thank you and inviting everyone to celebrate with us."

As Pace celebrates its 40th anniversary, the agency remains committed to innovation and improvement. Pace looks forward to a year filled with service enhancements to boost access and frequency, the introduction of more zero-emissions buses, and continued work to modernize infrastructure and build a world-class transit network for the region.

Exclusions

Please note that Pace Connect, the Taxi Access Program, and the Rideshare Access Program are not included in this free ride weekend.

About Pace Suburban Bus Service

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 residents in 274 municipalities across Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry counties.

As one of the largest bus services in North America, Pace covers 3,677 square miles—an area nearly the size of Connecticut and about 15 times the size of Chicago. Pace's innovative approach to public transportation has earned it a national reputation as an industry leader.