Pace Achieves Double-Digit Ridership Growth

At a recent Pace Board of Directors meeting, the agency reported continued strong ridership growth as faster, more frequent service continues to benefit riders throughout the region.

In 2024, Pace’s system ridership increased by 14.6% compared to 2023, and that upward trend continues into 2025. In January alone, Pace carried just under 1.8 million rides — a 12.1% increase over January 2024.

“Pace’s comprehensive approach — combining strategic systemwide investments in fixed route, Express, Pulse, and ADA Paratransit services — is proving successful,” according to a press release. “By enhancing service across the entire network, Pace is meeting rider needs and driving sustained ridership growth.”

Express services led the way in ridership gains, with Bus on Shoulder ridership increasing by 7.7%. Pulse Milwaukee Line ridership rose by 6.6%, and the newly launched Pulse Dempster Line saw a 15.6% increase. Additionally, Pace’s ADA Paratransit service experienced a 47% year-over-year increase, with over 475,000 rides provided, exceeding pre-pandemic ADA ridership levels.

The release added: “Pace’s success aligns with a broader regional trend highlighted by the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), which recently reported three consecutive years of double-digit ridership growth across the regional transit network. The RTA also recognized the Pulse Dempster Line as a standout, noting that ridership along the Dempster corridor surpassed pre-pandemic 2019 levels in 2024, further underscoring Pace’s strategic approach to service development.”

“These ridership gains demonstrate that our approach to winning back riders is working,” Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger said. “As we continue to invest in our system and advocate for sustainable transit funding, we are building a resilient and future-focused network that supports our communities and improves quality of life for our region.”

Pace Suburban Bus provides transit options for the residents of 274 municipalities in the northeastern Illinois counties of Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry.