Pace schedules hearings on expanding Fox Valley routes

Pace wants to hear from riders about its plans to change existing routes and add new ones in Aurora and the Fox Valley.

The move is intended to increase the frequency of buses and extend evening service. Passengers told the agency in a survey that buses don't come often enough to be convenient.

Pace also hopes to reach out to the Hispanic community and increase riders. Planners noted that ridership overall has dropped in the Fox Valley and although Hispanics constitute 41 percent of Aurora's population, only 19 percent of passengers are Hispanic.

Pace plans to expand transit on the Route 59 corridor and to the North Aurora Town Centre, offer buses every 30 minutes on most routes and operate until at least 8 p.m. in the area.

To spread the word about the initiative, the agency is holding four forums, including one from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 20, at Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave., Aurora.

Other open houses where people can ask questions and make suggestions are set for:

• 3 to 6 p.m. Thursday, June 25, at Santori Public Library, 101 S. River St., Aurora.

• 3 to 6 p.m. Monday, June 29, at Batavia City Hall, 100 N. Island Ave.

• 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 30, City of Aurora Customer Service Division, 3770 McCoy Drive.

Feedback from riders will be taken into consideration and the final plan will be presented at a public hearing from 4 to 6 p.m. July 15 at Aurora City Hall, 44 E. Downer Place.

The new service will be added to central and North Aurora in October and to the Route 59 corridor in December. The agency also intends to add two Call-n-Ride routes to connect people to buses south and southeast of downtown Aurora and on the east side buffering Route 59.

For more, go to www.pacebus.com/sub/initiatives/fox_valley/fv_default.asp.