Pace may cut routes to Carol Stream and W. Chicago
Proposed service cuts on Pace bus routes would put an undue burden on DuPage County riders, residents and public officials said at a hearing Tuesday night.
More than 65 people filled a conference room at the College of DuPage to protest budget cuts that would eliminate all Pace bus service to West Chicago and Carol Stream, two of three routes serving Woodridge and five Naperville commuter routes.
"We feel that Pace's proposed solution to its budget shortfall is unfair to DuPage County," said JR McBride, chairman of the DuPage County Board's public transit committee.
Pace is proposing eliminating or reducing service on 51 bus routes throughout the region to cover a budget shortfall. Riders who use Paratransit, Pace's pickup service for disabled individuals, would see fares going up to $3.50 in the suburbs and up to $5 in Chicago. Pace is also making $2.7 million in administrative cuts that include employee furloughs and cuts to the marketing budget.
Routes were picked for elimination or cutbacks because of low ridership, Pace planners said. But one by one, speakers took the microphone and pleaded with Pace to keep the routes they rely on for transportation to work, school or medical care.
"Continued access to (Route 711) is the difference between a job and unemployment, education and dashed dreams, moving forward and going nowhere," said Carol Stream Trustee Don Weiss, who presented a resolution passed unanimously by the village board in support of keeping the route.
More than 20 percent of the households in southeast Carol Stream do not have personal reliable transportation, said Vanessa Roth, executive director of the Outreach Community Center in Carol Stream. Route 711 "is a lifeline," she said.
Residents from several communities who ride Pace buses to the Metra train stations said they don't have many other options, due to the years-long waiting lists for commuter parking lot permits and the limited amount of daily parking available. "I can't get to work," said Wayne Floegel, of Naperville.
In Naperville, Pace is proposing eliminating commuter routes 676, 685, 687, 689 and 781. All are operated for Pace by a private contractor. The feeder routes are "a unique and successful example of transit in the suburbs" used by more than 800 commuters each day, according to a resolution opposing the service cuts passed 9-0 by the Naperville City Council Tuesday night. Elimination of the routes should be a last resort and taken only when all other avenues are exhausted, the resolution states.
"This is a nightmare," said Rich Kirkwood of Wheaton, whose disabled son rides Pace Route 711 every day to his job in Bloomingdale. He has worked full time for 16 years, paying taxes and supporting the economy, Kirkwood said.
Two additional hearings are scheduled this week:
4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Kane County Government Center Auditorium, 719 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva.
4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Waukegan Public Library, 128 N. County St., Waukegan.