Pace Agreement for Park and Ride Uncertain

The future of the village’s agreement with Pace Suburban Bus for the Orchard Road Park and Ride facility is in jeopardy as trustees look for a more cost-effective solution to shuttle commuters to and from the Aurora Transportation Center.

Trustees discussed alternatives Tuesday night to the Pace service that costs the village about $100,000 annually. One option being explored by the village would be to partner with Kendall Area Transit to offer the same service, but with more trips per day. Currently, Pace offers three trips in the morning and three in the evening.

An agreement with KAT could offer five trips morning and night, and additional transportation service throughout the village for about the same amount of money, Interim Village Administrator Dwight Baird said.

Baird said the village has until Oct. 17 to commit to another year with Pace and trustees voted to enter into another agreement; however, there is a 60-day out-clause that could terminate that agreement if the village partners with KAT. Baird said he will meet with Kendall County officials in the coming days to discuss terms of an agreement with the village.

Whatever is ultimately decided, trustees seemed to have little appetite for continuing with Pace given the amount the relationship is costing taxpayers for the small amount of commuters using the service. According to village documents, 2011 average daily riders have been as few as 33 and as high as 55. 

Trustee Terry Michels said while he supports public transportation in the village, he doesn't want to end up subsidizing a small amount of village residents on the backs of all taxpayers.  

Trustee Gail Johnson asked if there were even more alternatives. Baird said ultimately the village possibly could rent handicapped-accessible vehicles and provide the service itself.

If the village terminates the Pace agreement, service could end as soon as Dec. 31. KAT officials have told the village that their service would not be up and running until March.