Pace Schedules Second Public Forum to Discuss Pulse Milwaukee Line

Aug. 13, 2015

The Pulse Milwaukee Line- Pace's first Pulse Arterial Bus Rapid Transit (ART) route- has a planned launch in 2017. The route will run via Milwaukee Avenue between Golf Mill Shopping Center in Niles and the Jefferson Park Transit Center in Chicago. Using public input gathered since the first public meeting in April, Pace refined the station locations and made other minor updates to its service plan. The second public meeting is scheduled for Aug. 26, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Copernicus Center located at 5216 W. Lawrence Avenue in Chicago.

At the meeting, Pace will present the overall concept of Pulse service, provide project updates and seek additional public input in an open house format. The public may attend any time between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Attendees can view a presentation, review exhibits, provide comments, and meet with project team members. Information about Pulse and the Milwaukee Line is also available at Pacebus.com/Pulse, which also provides the opportunity to provide feedback and to sign up to receive project updates via e-mail.

Pace continues the public outreach process for the new service type by working with the Corridor Advisory Group made up of local stakeholders. "We thank our stakeholders and customers in helping us shape the program, as we move closer to implementing Pulse service on corridors throughout the region in the future," said Pace Chairman of the Board Richard Kwasneski.

Pulse offers a number of upgrades over traditional fixed route bus service. Faster travel times and improved on-time performance are achieved through providing limited stop, express service including placement of bus stops on the far side of intersections to reduce time lost at traffic signals; enhanced station design to facilitate the boarding and alighting of customers and Transit Signal Priority (TSP) technology, which helps to maintain on-time performance. New passenger amenities include Wi-Fi on Pulse buses, heated stations and real-time arrival information.

The Pulse Milwaukee Line project is funded by a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant from the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) as well as local and regional funds and Pace operating funds. Total capital construction costs are estimated at approximately $9.1 million and new vehicle costs are estimated at $4.5 million.