Pace Suburban Bus: Routes, Schedules, Fares & Tracker 2026 

Pace Suburban Bus is the public transit agency serving suburban Chicago, operating 134+ fixed routes across 274 municipalities in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. Fixed-route fares start at $2.00 with Ventra, and riders can track buses in real time through Pace’s online Bus Tracker, the Transit app, or SMS. Pace now operates under the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA).

Getting around Chicago’s suburbs without a car depends on knowing which bus goes where, when it arrives, and how much it costs. Pace Suburban Bus answers all three of those questions across a service area nearly the size of Connecticut, but the sheer scale of the system, more than 130 routes, several fare types, and multiple tracking tools, can make it confusing for first-time riders.

What Is Pace Suburban Bus and Where Does It Operate?

Pace Suburban Bus is the suburban transit division of the Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA), founded in 1984 and headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois. It serves 274 municipalities across Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties, covering roughly 3,677 square miles, an area about 15 times the size of Chicago itself.

Pace operates as one of the largest suburban bus networks in North America. According to Wikipedia and Pace’s own reporting, the agency runs 134 routes using a fleet of 733 fixed-route buses, 401 vanpools, 11 On Demand service areas, 1,230 paratransit vehicles, and 37 local Dial-a-Ride programs. Weekday ridership sits at approximately 81,800 riders (Q2 2026, American Public Transportation Association), with annual ridership over 20 million in 2025.

Pace also runs 10 operating divisions (bus garages) spread across the region, from Waukegan in the north to Bridgeview in the southwest, plus a South Campus facility in Markham that handles new vehicle intake. This distributed structure lets Pace serve dense inner-ring suburbs and far-flung exurbs alike.

What Pace Suburban Bus Routes Are Available?

Pace operates fixed routes numbered from 208 to 905, Pulse Rapid Transit lines (Milwaukee and Dempster), On Demand service in 11 designated zones, and three expressway-based express routes (I-55, I-90, and I-94). Route availability depends on your specific location, so use Pace’s Route Search tool to find service near you.

Because Pace covers six counties, its route network includes several distinct service types:

Pace also runs three expressway-based express services, I-55, I-90, and I-94, that use bus-on-shoulder or flex-lane technology developed with the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois Tollway. A fourth express route along I-290/I-88 has been proposed to connect western suburbs to Chicago.

To find routes serving your address, use the interactive ArcGIS map or the Route Search tool on pacebus.com, both pull results based on your specific starting point rather than forcing you to scroll through all 134 routes.

How Do You Read a Pace Bus Schedule?

Each Pace route schedule lists timepoints (major stops) down one side and departure times across the top, organized by direction and day type (weekday, Saturday, Sunday/holiday). Find your nearest timepoint, match it to your travel direction, and read down the column for departure times closest to when you want to leave.

Pace publishes a dedicated “How to Read a Schedule” guide (available as a PDF on pacebus.com) because paper and PDF schedules pack a lot of information into a small space. Here’s the general process:

1. Find your route number on the Routes, Schedules and Maps page.
2. Identify your direction of travel (e.g., northbound vs. southbound), since Pace lists these separately.
3. Locate your boarding timepoint, the closest major intersection or landmark to your stop.
4. Check the day-type column, weekday, Saturday, and Sunday/holiday schedules often differ significantly.
5. Read down the time column to find departures near your desired travel time.

Because schedules are subject to change (detours, seasonal adjustments, service pilots), always cross-check the printed or PDF schedule against Pace’s live Bus Tracker before heading out, especially on routes with active passenger notices or detour alerts.

How Do I Find a Pace Bus Schedule Near Me?

The fastest way to find a Pace bus schedule near you is to enter your address into Pace’s Trip Planner or interactive ArcGIS map at pacebus.com, both tools identify nearby routes and stops automatically. Alternatively, text “Pace” plus your stop’s code number to 41411 for real-time arrival times at that specific location.

If you already know your route number, go directly to pacebus.com/route/[route number] for that route’s schedule and map. If you don’t know which route serves your area, these three tools are the quickest paths to an answer:

• Trip Planner: Enter a start and end address for a full point-to-point itinerary, including transfers.
• Interactive ArcGIS Map: Visually browse routes, stops, and On Demand zones near any location.
• Bus stop signage: Most Pace stops display a code number you can text or look up online for that exact location’s next arrivals.

For riders without smartphone access, calling the Pace Newsline or checking posted paper schedules at shelters remains a reliable backup.

How Does the Pace Bus Tracker Work?

Pace Bus Tracker is a free, real-time arrival prediction tool available online, through the Transit app, via SMS text, or on digital signs at bus shelters. Select your route, direction, and stop to see the next three predicted arrival times, though Pace notes these are predictions, not guarantees.

Pace has offered its online Bus Tracker since 2002, making it one of the longer-running real-time transit tools in the Chicago region. Riders have several ways to access the same underlying data:

• Online Bus Tracker: Visit tmweb.pacebus.com, select route, direction, and stop for the next three predicted arrivals.
• Live Map: View real-time bus locations on Google or Bing maps, including multi-route views.
• Transit app: Pace riders automatically get the app’s free “Royale” upgrade, with full-day schedules and crowding reports.
• Ventra app: Tracks Pace, CTA, and Metra together, useful for multi-system trips.
• Text messaging: Text “Pace [stop code]” to 41411 for an instant reply with arrival times.
• Digital signs: Installed at high-traffic shelters, counting down minutes until the next arrival.
• QR codes: Scan a code posted at the shelter to jump directly to that stop’s tracker page.

One practical scenario: if you’re standing at a stop without a smartphone, look for a code number printed on the sign, that same code works for both the text-message service and the online tracker, so you’re not locked out of real-time data just because you don’t have data service.

Pace’s official disclaimer notes that neither Pace nor its tracking contractor guarantees prediction accuracy, so it’s smart to arrive a few minutes early on unfamiliar routes.

What Are Pace Bus Fares and Payment Options?

Standard Pace fixed-route fares cost $2.00 with a Ventra card, mobile wallet, or contactless bank card, or $2.25 with cash. Reduced fares ($1.00 Ventra/$1.10 cash) apply to seniors, riders with disabilities, and Medicare cardholders. Premium express routes cost $4.50, and multi-day passes offer unlimited rides for frequent travelers.

Fares vary by service type, so check the table below before boarding:

Multi-day and monthly options can save frequent riders money:

• 1-Day Pass: $5.00 (unlimited Pace and CTA rides)
• 30-Day Pace/CTA Pass: $75.00 full fare / $35.00 reduced
• 30-Day Pace-Only Pass: $60.00 full fare / $30.00 reduced
• Campus Connection (semester): $60–$175, depending on purchase month

A practical example: a rider commuting daily on a regular fixed route who pays cash each way spends $4.50 per day, or roughly $90 over a 20-workday month. Switching to a 30-Day Pace/CTA Pass at $75 would be cheaper for anyone riding more than about 17 one-way trips a month. Do the math against your own routine before committing to a pass.

Ventra is the shared payment system across Pace, CTA, and Metra. A new Ventra card costs $5.00, but that fee is refunded as transit value once you register the card online, so it’s effectively free if you register it.

What Accessibility and Special Services Does Pace Offer?

All Pace fixed-route buses include ramps, dedicated seating, and audio/visual stop announcements. Riders certified for ADA Paratransit by NITA ride fixed routes free and can also access ADA Paratransit ($3.25), the Taxi Access Program, and the Rideshare Access Program, each priced at $3.25 for rides valued up to $30.

Pace’s accessibility network includes multiple overlapping options, since not every rider’s needs are the same:

• Fixed Route: Fully accessible with ramps and reserved seating; no reservation needed.
• ADA Paratransit: Reservation-based service for riders who can’t use fixed routes; requires NITA certification and next-day booking.
• On Demand: Open to the general public; ADA-certified riders get a reduced rate.
• Dial-a-Ride: Local, township- or county-run programs with fares and eligibility set by each partner.
• Taxi Access Program (TAP): For Chicago-based trips; $3.25 covers up to $30 of taxi fare.
• Rideshare Access Program (RAP): Uber or UZURV rides for ADA-certified riders; same $3.25/$30 structure as TAP.

As of October 1, 2025, ADA-certified riders tap their Paratransit card on the Ventra reader to ride Pace, CTA, and Metra fixed routes for free. Before that date, riders showed their card to the driver instead of tapping, so returning riders should note this procedural change.

One scenario worth planning for: an ADA Paratransit-certified rider who needs a same-day trip (rather than the standard next-day reservation) may find TAP or RAP more practical than Paratransit itself, since both allow on-demand booking through a taxi or rideshare app rather than advance scheduling.

How Does Pace Connect to CTA and Metra?

Many Pace routes terminate at CTA rail stations, CTA bus terminals, or Metra stations, and all three systems share the Ventra fare payment platform. Riders with a registered Ventra account can transfer between Pace, CTA, and Metra, and passes like the Pace/CTA 30-Day Pass or Regional Day Pass cover multiple systems on one fare product.

For suburban commuters heading downtown, this integration matters in practice. A rider might take a Pace fixed route to a Metra station, transfer to a Metra train into the city, and use CTA for the final leg, all under one Ventra account. The Regional Day Pass, sold through the Ventra app, bundles a Metra Day Pass with unlimited same-day Pace and CTA rides, which is often cheaper than paying each leg separately for occasional multi-system trips.

Overlap zones like Evanston, Oak Park, Cicero, and Skokie are served by both Pace and CTA buses, so riders in these areas should compare both agencies’ schedules and fares before choosing a route, since destinations, frequency, and pricing can differ.

What’s Changing at Pace Bus in 2026?

As of September 2026, Pace operates under a new Northern Illinois Transit Authority (NITA) governance framework that also oversees CTA and Metra. Other current developments include the Pulse Harlem Line project, Project Zero (fleet electrification), and a 2026 pilot making reduced student fares available year-round rather than only on school days.

Three initiatives are worth watching if you’re a regular rider:

• NITA framework: Announced September 16, 2026, this restructuring coordinates fare policy and funding across Pace, CTA, and Metra, aiming for more consistent regional service.
• Project Zero: Pace’s push toward a zero-emission fleet, building on existing battery-electric and hybrid buses already in service.
• Pulse Harlem Line: A planned expansion of the Pulse Rapid Transit network beyond the existing Milwaukee and Dempster lines.

Because these changes are still unfolding, confirm current fare policies and route statuses directly with Pace before relying on older information you may find elsewhere online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Pace Bus the same as CTA?
No. Pace serves suburban communities across six counties, while CTA operates within Chicago and some adjacent suburbs. Both fall under NITA and share the Ventra payment system, but they run separate route networks and fare structures for certain services.

Can I use a regular Ventra card on Pace On Demand?
Yes. Pace On Demand charges the same fare as fixed-route service ($2.00 Ventra/$2.25 cash) and accepts standard Ventra cards, mobile wallets, and contactless bank cards.

What happens if I miss my ADA Paratransit pickup window?
Contact Pace’s Paratransit reservation line for your area as soon as possible; policies on rescheduling or no-show consequences should be confirmed directly with Pace, since they can vary by service area.

Do Pace buses have Wi-Fi or charging outlets?
Pace’s official materials reviewed for this guide do not confirm onboard Wi-Fi or charging outlets as standard features. Check with Pace directly or look for signage onboard specific buses, as amenities may vary by vehicle.

Are children free on Pace buses?
Yes, up to two children under age 7 ride free per fare-paying adult on fixed-route service.

How much does a lost Ventra card cost to replace?
A new Ventra card costs $5.00, though that amount is credited back as transit value once the card is registered online.

Can I bring luggage on a Pace bus?
Pace’s published policies focus on wheelchair securement and accessibility rather than general baggage rules. For trips involving significant luggage, contact Pace directly to confirm any space or size restrictions.

What’s the difference between Dial-a-Ride and On Demand?
Dial-a-Ride is run in partnership with specific townships or counties, with fares and eligibility set locally. On Demand is open to the general public across 11 designated zones at standard fixed-route fares.

Does Pace serve any areas outside Illinois?
Yes, according to Wikipedia, some Pace routes extend into Northwest Indiana, though the bulk of service remains within Illinois’ six-county region.

How do I report a Pace bus that never arrived?
Use Pace’s online Feedback Center or call the number listed for Paratransit commendations and complaints (800-606-1282 during business hours) for paratransit issues; fixed-route service concerns can be reported through the same Feedback Center or the Pace Newsline.