Chicago’s Pace to improve Service with New Platforms and Signal Priority

Pace, the suburban Chicago transit provider, is investing in a route on the city's northwest side, looking to speed up buses and attract new riders.

1 minute read

July 25, 2019, 11:00 AM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Pace buses on route 270 could be getting a lot faster. The suburban Chicago transit operator has installed signal priority and level boarding on the route, dubbed the Pulse Milwaukee Line. 

"You board at actual stations with heaters in the ground and above. The platform is raised, like a train, so the entrance is at the same level as passengers," Vince Gerasole reports for CBS Local. These improvements are the result of a $15 million investment. Officials estimate the changes will cut a 30-minute trip down to 21 minutes. They also estimate these improvements will boost ridership on the service by 1,000 trips per weekday.

Beyond speed improvements, the buses servicing the Pulse route will be equipped with Wi-Fi. The new service is set to debut August 11.  

Monday, July 15, 2019 in CBS Chicago

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Close-up of white panel at top of school bus with "100% electric" black text.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation

California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

April 30 - California Air Resources Board

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30 - Streetsblog USA

"No Thru Traffic - Open Streets Restaurants" sign in New York City during Covid-19 pandemic.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street

How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.

April 30 - Next City