Pace breaks ground on ADA paratransit transfer facility

July 20, 2023

The first-of-its-kind ADA Transfer Point will prioritize accessibility with public restrooms, an indoor waiting area, EV charging stations and additional parking.

Mass Transit Staff Report

L-R: Pace Director Chris Canning; Schaumburg Trustee Jaime Clar; Pace Director David Guerin; Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger; Pace Chairman Rick Kwasneski; Representative Michelle Mussman; Representative Nabeela Syed; Representative Mary Beth Canty; Pace Director Bill McLeod; Pace ADA Suburban Advisory Committee Chairperson Jemal Powell; and RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden.

Pace leaders broke ground on a new ADA Transfer Facility adjacent to the Northwest Transportation Center in Schaumburg, Ill., on July 19. The project, made possible by Rebuild Illinois funding , will transform a critical hub for paratransit with new assets that promote accessibility, expand capacity and enhance comfort and aesthetics for people with disabilities and other commuters.

The improvements to the site include the demolition of the former Schaumburg Post Office and the renovation of an existing facility that will accommodate customers, for the first time, with indoor waiting area and public restrooms. The concept was informed by feedback from Pace’s ADA Advisory Committees and reinforces the agency’s commitment to advancing the accessibility and equity of its service, a key aspiration of its strategic plan.

“I could not think of a better way to celebrate Disability Pride month than with a groundbreaking for the construction of a new fully accessible ADA Paratransit Transfer Facility,” said Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger.

Metzger noted Pace’s efforts to enhance ADA Paratransit Service throughout the region by leveraging technology to improve passengers’ experience with features like "Where’s My Bus", which allows passengers to track their rides similar to Uber and Lyft, departure boards at popular destinations, so passengers can see the status of their trip in real time and a recently launched transit app where passengers can access real-time information on Pace service and connections with Pace’s sister agencies, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) and Metra, as well as with Pace’s on demand services.

Among the dignitaries, local officials and stakeholders at the event was Jemal Powell, who serves as chairperson of Pace’s Suburban ADA Advisory Committee and also serves on Pace’s Citizen’s Advisory Board. Powell is a regular rider of Pace’s fixed route system and advocates for the disability community.

“I use Pace every day, just about, on the fixed route side. I’ve been across the area on different routes and at different facilities, and this sounds like a very innovative facility,” said Powell. “Transit is very important for everybody, across the board. People need to get to work, people have to go to school, people have to go shopping and visit loved ones. Thanks to Pace for being one of the most innovative transit agencies across the country.”

The Pace Northwest Transportation Center is a major hub with more than 1,000 daily boardings for Pace service, including I-90 Express buses, which utilize the Illinois Tollway I-90 Flex Lanes to bypass congestion and connect commuters to the CTA Blue Line at Rosemont. The new transit center and ADA Transfer Facility will include two new dual-port car charging stations, with capacity for four electric cars, an expanded drop-off area and new Pace branded signs with real-time bus departure information. New sidewalks will provide pedestrian access from Mall Drive and Kimberly Drive to the bus terminal and parking capacity will increase from 192 spaces (six ADA) to 301 spaces (eight ADA) to support the popular I-90 Express services. Other improvements include landscaping and site furnishings, seating, Ventra ticketing and digital and audio bus arrival information.