Pace Caps 2025 With More Service and Launch of VanGo Joliet

Pace Suburban Bus, Arlington Heights, IL, is closing out 2025 with expanded service and the launch of a new flexible transit option in Joliet, underscoring the agency’s commitment to connecting communities with reliable, modern transportation.

At a recent meeting of the Pace Board of Directors, Executive Director Melinda Metzger provided several agency updates, including the final round of service improvements for 2025, the launch of VanGo Joliet, and FTA award of a $39,780,000 Low-or-No Emissions grant to the agency.

“This marks the second consecutive year Pace has received a Low-or-No Emissions grant. In 2024, Pace was awarded $30.9 million to purchase 33 hybrid-electric buses, which began arriving in October 2025,” said Metzger. “Together, these investments will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve service reliability, and enhance rider comfort.”

Pace has expanded service on six routes and adjusted schedules on two. Earlier this month, it launched VanGo Joliet, a flexible, reservation-based service designed to close the first-/last-mile gap for commuters. VanGo allows commuters to reserve a vehicle for round-trip travel within a defined service zone surrounding the transit center. Once registered, users can unlock a vehicle with a code, make their local trips, and return the van at the end of the day.

Year-to-date system ridership reached 22.1 million rides, a 4.2 percent increase systemwide compared to 2024. Pilot service improvements have driven strong growth, with ridership on enhanced routes increasing 13.5 percent year-over-year.

Metzger also briefed the board on a recent open house to gather input on the agency’s I-290/I-88 Express Service Study, which is evaluating potential bus-on-shoulder service connecting the CTA Forest Park Blue Line to Oak Brook and the Schaumburg/Woodfield area. This study is taking place in partnership with IDOT and its shoulder improvement project.