Pace Crystal Lake VanGo Helps Workers Access Job Opportunities

Pace Suburban Bus, Crystal Lake, IL, has launched a new VanGo service in Crystal Lake. VanGo provides commuters in the area with a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gap in their commutes and make it easier to access job opportunities in McHenry County.

“VanGo is an innovative and practical option for commuters who face challenges getting from a train station or transit stop to their workplace,” said Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger. “VanGo helps address those challenges by filling critical first- and last-mile gaps to employment centers, especially in areas where traditional fixed-route service is not practical. VanGo supports employers by expanding access to their worksites, and it helps workers by making the commute more manageable, predictable, and affordable.”

Pace now operates nine VanGo service zones in the region after having launched a VanGo service in University Park earlier this year and now Crystal Lake.

The service allows commuters to reserve a vehicle for round-trip travel within a designated service zone. Once registered, users can unlock a vehicle with a code, make their local trips, and return the van at the end of the day. The Crystal Lake VanGo is stationed at the Pingree Road Metra Station and intended for commuters needing transportation to reach their jobs after using the region’s traditional transit network to begin their commutes.

Pace manages all vehicle maintenance, insurance, and fueling. VanGo integrates seamlessly with Pace routes and Metra service, strengthening the regional transit network while supporting workforce access at an affordable operational cost.