Pace plans speedy new buses on suburban roads like routes 25, 31, 53, 83
Pace commuters eager to scoot through the suburbs can learn more about the agency's new Pulse arterial bus rapid transit program and give their two cents at an April 22 forum.
In 2017, Pace will debut the first Pulse bus on Milwaukee Avenue traveling from Niles to the Jefferson Park CTA stop. That will be followed by a Dempster Avenue express bus between Evanston and O'Hare International Airport that stops in Des Plaines.
The two are part of Pace plans for a network of 24 corridors for arterial bus rapid transit. Proposed arterial corridors include Arlington Heights Road, Army Trail Road, Barrington/County Farm Road, Gary Avenue, Half Day Road, Higgins Road, and routes 25, 31, 53, and 83.
Arterial Rapid Transit promises faster commutes than traditional bus service. There are fewer stops and quick boarding at stations, and a traffic prioritization program helps ensure buses stay on schedule.
There's no date set for the Pulse Dempster Line project yet, Pace spokesman Patrick Wilmot said.
"Right now, we are focusing all of our attention on the Milwaukee Line development and implementation, and we'll move on to Dempster once the Milwaukee project is finished or near completion.
"We believe that the project implementation may occur more quickly on Dempster because we will be able to apply the best practices that we learned along the way on Milwaukee. Just as the Milwaukee Line will largely mirror our existing Route 270, the Dempster Line will operate on the same or a very similar alignment to our existing Route 250 Dempster."
Traffic signal prioritization is triggered if a bus is running late. The technology will prolong a green light or shorten a red light by up to 10 seconds.
Pace's open house is at 5:30 p.m. April 22 at the Niles Park District Oasis Water Park, 7877 N. Milwaukee Ave., Niles.
The ART system will offer new buses equipped with Wi-Fi and USB charging ports. Planners expect the fare will be the same as on regular Pace buses.
The Milwaukee Line bus project costs about $13 million, including new buses, and is partly paid with federal funds.
Pace has applied to be included in a list of national and regional projects of significance, which would make it eligible for additional federal grants.