Pace does its best to get word out

In response to the Dec. 6 letter from Miriam Inskeep regarding upcoming service changes to Pace Route 802, which also include changes to Route 801 and a new route, the Geneva-St. Charles Call-n-Ride, I am pleased to report that Pace used numerous means of promotion. Regrettably, these appear not to have reached her, but the assessment that we’ve failed to notify riders could not be further from the truth.

In addition to posting passenger notices regarding the revised service plan on buses and our website, we sent emails to riders of these routes that have registered on our website. We have a recorded telephone information line that has carried this information, and we used our social media channels and our online newsletter to promote the information. Pace staff have been at key locations and transfer points on these routes to hand out information directly to riders and answer questions. Articles have been published in local media regarding the plan, particularly around the time of the public hearing regarding the service changes. The hearing took place in late October, and all of the same methods listed above were used beginning in September to notify riders about the hearing, so information has been circulated regarding these service changes for a matter of months.

We realize that even daily Pace riders can miss information that’s posted on board our buses. Therefore, we strongly recommend signing up for our email subscription service at pacebus.com. Connecting with Pace on social media such as Twitter and Facebook is another way to stay informed. It simply isn’t possible for us to get information into the hands of every rider — particularly occasional riders — but we make every effort to distribute information in a variety of ways.

T.J. Ross

Executive Director

Pace Suburban Bus

Arlington Heights