Map Your Pace World; Pace Introduces WebRoute - A New Online Tool Providing Riders with Multiple Transit Options

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.--March 8, 2006--Pace's new WebRoute feature at www.pacebus.com is the suburban agency's latest online tool encouraging people to consider public transportation in their commuting mix.

With the new WebRoute feature, anyone interested in checking out travel options in their community, or anywhere in the northeastern Illinois region where Pace operates, can build their own customized map with bus routes, local landmarks, roads, ticket sales locations and even bus shelters.

Here's how it works:

-- A click to the WebRoute icon, located on the upper left side of the Pace homepage, takes the rider to a brief introduction

-- Click "continue" to arrive at a map framed by two columns that help navigate, control and create a personalized map

-- The column on the left is a list of actions that can be taken - like zooming in on an area or moving the map; to the right are the layers of available data and information (the rider can even measure the distance between his or her home and destination or find out the length of the walk to the bus stop)

-- By keeping watch of the area just below the map, the rider is reminded of what layer he or she is working on and provides descriptions of the routes or landmarks being viewed

-- From this screen, the rider can retrieve maps and schedules for the bus routes without going to another section on the website. (There's also a help option available in both Spanish and English.)

WebRoute is one-stop travel information retrieval exemplifying Pace's continued use of technology to change the image of public transportation. Pace Executive Director T.J. Ross has said it's a continuing goal of the agency to "provide high quality service that is faster, safer and more reliable." Part of that mission is delivering travel information in the same fast and reliable manner as the service. WebRoute joins other Pace initiatives like Vanpool Finder showing public transit agencies are up-to-date with systems that are easy to use and understand.