How Pace Is Reinventing Suburban Transit in Chicago

What happens when the bus can actually beat the car? In this episode of Transit Unplugged, Paul Comfort sits down with Melinda Metzger, Executive Director of Pace Suburban Bus, for a conversation recorded at Pace’s ADA headquarters in downtown Chicago. Melinda has spent 42 years at Pace, beginning as a summer intern and eventually working her way through planning, operations, procurement, and executive leadership. She takes Paul inside an agency that now serves 274 communities across a six-county region with fixed-route buses, express service, Pulse rapid transit, vanpools, on-demand transportation, and one of the largest paratransit operations in the country. They explore some of Pace’s most successful innovations, including traffic signal priority, real-time rider information, Van Go first- and last-mile service, and Bus on Shoulder—an approach that lets Pace buses move around congestion on Chicago-area expressways and has helped drive dramatic ridership growth on participating routes. Melinda also discusses Pace’s role in providing regional ADA paratransit, why improving accessibility can make transit better for everyone, and how the agency is approaching the transition from the Regional Transportation Authority to the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority.Finally, Melinda reflects on four decades of change at Pace, the employees and customers who have shaped her career, and the legacy she hopes to leave as the agency expands its facilities and continues its transition toward zero-emission buses.In this episode: - Why frequency, speed, and reliability can bring riders back to transit- How Bus on Shoulder helped transform ridership on Pace routes- What it takes to provide thousands of paratransit trips every day across Chicago and its suburbs- How Pace uses technology to make service more predictable and easier to use- What the creation of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority could mean for regional fares and coordination- How vanpool, Van Go, and on-demand services are solving first- and last-mile challenges- Melinda’s journey from summer intern to Executive Director- The investments in facilities, training, and electric buses shaping Pace’s next chapter 00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged00:00 Welcome to Transit Unplugged01:07 Inside Pace ADA HQ01:12 Inside Pace ADA HQ01:25 Paratransit Scale and Partners01:25 Paratransit at Scale02:03 Taxis and Rideshare Partners02:21 42 Years at Pace02:21 42 Years at Pace02:34 From Intern to Leader02:34 From Intern to Leader03:05 RTA Split and Pace Growth03:05 RTA Split and Pace Growth04:06 What Pace Operates Today04:06 What Pace Operates Today04:51 How Pace Fits Chicago Transit04:53 Regional ADA for Chicago05:14 RTA to NITA Transition05:14 RTA to NITA Transition06:07 Embracing Change Culture06:07 Embracing Change Culture07:18 Why the Name Pace07:18 Why the Name Pace07:33 Working with CTA and Metra07:33 Working with CTA and Metra08:58 Customer Focus and More Service08:58 Customer Focus and More Service09:37 Signal Priority and Real Time Tech09:37 Signal Priority and Pulse Tech10:42 Real Time Info for Riders10:56 Rider Tools and Better Signage11:58 Break and Show Promos11:58 Break and Show Promos12:38 Accessibility as a Civil Right12:38 Accessibility as a Civil Right13:40 Dial a Ride and On Demand Options13:40 Dial a Ride and On Demand15:52 Bus on Shoulder Success15:52 Bus on Shoulder and Innovation17:26 Vanpool and Van Go Programs19:05 Transit App Integration20:05 Legacy Facilities and Electrification20:05 Legacy and What’s Next22:20 Facilities Training and EV Future24:11 Final Thanks and Sign Off CreditsHost and Producer: Paul ComfortExecutive Producer: Julie GatesProducer: Chris O’KeeffeProduction Assistant: Desmond GatesEditor: Patrick EmileAssociate Producer: Cyndi RaskinBrand Design: Tina OlagundoyeProduction Assistant: Desmond GatesCamera: Jaime CuadraSecond Camera: Sophie Cuadra Transit Unplugged is brought to you by Modaxo, passionate about moving the world’s people. For more information, visit: www.Transit Unplugged.com Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the guests, and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of Modaxo Inc., its affiliates or subsidiaries, or any entities they represent (“Modaxo”). This production belongs to Modaxo, and may contain information that may be subject to trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights and restrictions. This production provides general information, and should not be relied on as legal advice or opinion. Modaxo specifically disclaims all warranties, express or implied, and will not be liable for any losses, claims, or damages arising from the use of this presentation, from any material contained in it, or from any action or decision taken in response to it.