Pace Buses Providing Service to Aid in Relief Efforts

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.--Sept. 7, 2005--On Monday night 15 Pace vehicles arrived in Jefferson Parish, just outside of New Orleans. Like so many others, Pace employees, Board members and their neighbors around 10 operating divisions wanted to do something to aid the people of a region devastated by Hurricane Katrina. Pace Chairman John Case said he felt "the best thing to do is what we know how to do - provide transportation."

Efforts to get transportation to those in need were coordinated with MV Transportation, one of Pace's contract carriers. The convoy that started at Pace's West Division facility in Melrose Park, with a stop at Pace's South Holland acceptance facility, consisted of four standard transit buses which carry about 40 passengers, 10 paratransit vehicles that accommodate 15 people, wheelchairs, and motorized personal transport vehicles and one supervisory van with a lift.

Since many local transit vehicles were lost, Pace buses have been put into service. The larger vehicles are being used on a fixed route between West Jefferson Medical Center and a Navy hospital ship, the "Comfort", located close to New Orleans. The smaller paratransit vehicles are providing non-emergency trips of an essential nature to get food or reach doctors.

Before the Pace vehicles left the area they were loaded with well-received goods for distribution. The effort was organized in a short period of time, and word spread quickly through the agency and to the public. Pace employees - bus operators, mechanics, and office staff - collected money that was used to purchase bottled water, sleeping bags, batteries, flashlights, diapers and canned goods. Local businesses wouldn't accept money for items like jumper cables, and people in their cars pulled over to offer donations.

Pace Executive Director T.J. Ross said the agency is here to help with whatever is needed, whenever it's needed. He added that help could take many forms, perhaps local shuttles, bus passes for evacuees who relocate to the area or expanded vanpools.