Service Cuts and Fare Increases Subject of Pace Hearings

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.--Without any funding coming from Springfield in the foreseeable future, Pace Chairman Richard Kwasneski has admitted it’s time to be realistic and take the necessary measures to balance the agency’s budget. The Pace Plan of Action he announced mid-June heads out to 11 public hearings starting Monday, July 16 and running through Thursday, July 26.

The plan covers service eliminations and fare increases that will be made as early as September to save the agency more than $20 million annually. These actions, plus a shift of $18 million in capital and administrative steps that include a 13 percent workforce reduction, still do not completely close Pace’s $50 million 2007 budget gap.

Special events service, 23 poorly performing routes, all Metra feeder routes and weekend service are targeted for elimination. Also being considered are fare increases, with regular fares going from $1.50 to $2.00, an ADA paratransit fare increase to $4.00 in both Chicago and the suburbs, and an increase in TAP (Taxi Access Program) fares from $5.00 to $6.75. Pace will also no longer accept a number of CTA fare instruments, reduce the ADA service area to legal limits, and cut four routes when their federal funding comes to an end.

The hearings give people a chance to share their ideas on how to bridge the funding gap and voice their concerns about the cutbacks and fare increases. Pace officials hope their message is heard beyond the hearings. “Even though we’ve tried to be as fair as possible in distributing the impact of what we’re doing, this is going to hurt people on a very personal level and our region on a much broader, economic one,” said Kwasneski, adding “that’s important for political leaders to know.”

Public input will be compiled and presented to the Pace Board for discussion at their August 1st meeting. Complete details on Pace’s proposed actions can be found at www.pacebus.com; questions can be directed to Pace Customer Relations at (708) 364-7223 (voice) or TTY line (847) 364-5093. Individuals with disabilities who plan to attend the hearings and require certain accommodations to participate can also contact Pace Customer Relations. Prior to the hearings, comments on the proposed fare increases and service eliminations can be submitted through the Pace website or in writing to Pace, Government Affairs, 550 West Algonquin Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005.

Public hearing locations, dates and times are as follows:

	Monday, July 16, 2007 11 a.m - 1 p.m.		Tuesday, July 17, 2007 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
	Northside College Preparatory High School		City of Blue Island East Annex
	5501 North Kedzie Avenue		2434 Vermont Street
	Chicago, IL 60625		Blue Island, IL 60406
	Wednesday, July 18, 2007 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.		Thursday, July 19, 2007 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
	Olive-Harvey College		Kane County Government Center
	Cafeteria		Auditorium - Ground Floor
	10001 S. Woodlawn Avenue		719 S. Batavia Avenue
	Chicago, IL 60628		Geneva, IL 60134
	Friday, July 20, 2007 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.		Monday, July 23, 2007 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
	Lake County Courthouse		Forest Park Public Library
	10th Floor Assembly Room		7555 W. Jackson Blvd.
	18 N. County Street		Forest Park, IL 60130
	Waukegan, IL 60085
	Monday, July 23, 2007 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.		Tuesday, July 24, 2007 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
	University of Illinois at Chicago		Joliet Public Library
	Student Center East		Main Building
	Room 302		150 N. Ottawa Street
	750 S. Halsted Street		Joliet, IL 60435
	Chicago, IL 60607
	Tuesday, July 24, 2007 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.		Thursday, July 26, 2007 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
	Pace Headquarters		Jack T. Knuepfer Administration Building
	Board Room		1st Floor Auditorium
	550 W. Algonquin Road		421 N. County Farm Road
	Arlington Heights, IL 60005		Wheaton, IL 60187
	Thursday, July 26, 207 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
	Crystal Lake Municipal Complex
	Council Chambers
	100 W. Municipal Complex
	Crystal Lake, IL 60039