Pace Reports Its Pulse Dempster Line To Begin Daily Service

The newest addition to Pace’s (Arlington Heights, IL) rapid transit network, the Pulse Dempster Line, will begin daily service on Sunday, October 29.

“Pulse provides premium transportation with limited stops, modern stations, and frequent service. Pulse Dempster’s purple-branded buses will run every 15 to 20 minutes, ensuring riders along Dempster Street in the northern Chicago suburbs reach destinations from Evanston, IL, to O’Hare International Airport more quickly,” according to a press release. “Pace’s innovative Pulse service offers passengers a fast, reliable counterpart to Pace’s traditional fixed-route service. Thanks to cutting-edge Transit Signal Priority (TSP) technology that leverages traffic signal timing adjustments with no impact to general traffic flow, buses navigate through congestion more efficiently to stay on schedule and reduce travel times for commuters. Pulse Dempster buses communicate directly with traffic control to minimize red lights and lengthen green lights.”

“Since launching the Sunday-only sneak preview service on August 13, we’ve seen a 12 percent increase in average daily ridership along the corridor compared to 2022. This strong response from riders reflects the demand for faster and more frequent bus service in the area,” Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger said. “Our expanding Pulse service reflects Pace’s commitment toward innovation that can make public transportation more attractive in northeastern Illinois. We know that when we build fast and reliable public transportation options, people will choose it.”

Pulse Dempster service has been designed to improve access to a variety of major destinations, schools, places of employment and more, including the O’Hare Multimodal Facility, Lutheran General Hospital, Maine East High School, and Notre Dame High School.

“Pulse Dempster riders can also easily connect to other Pace and CTA bus routes, the CTA Yellow and Purple lines, as well as Metra’s Union Pacific North, Northwest, and North Central Service rail lines,” the release added. “These connections provide passengers with an abundance of local and regional travel options.”

“The Pulse Dempster Line provides a vital connection to O’Hare International Airport for our north and northwest suburban neighbors,” Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee said. “We are thrilled to welcome this convenient and frequent public transit option, which will keep thousands of travelers, workers, and young people connected to the endless variety of journeys and opportunities available at the world’s second busiest airport.”

Pulse Dempster buses are equipped with modern passenger amenities, including free Wi-Fi and charging ports, as well as easy-to-find branded stations with heated shelters and real-time bus tracker information. Pulse Dempster also improves ADA accessibility, featuring raised bus platforms at all stations that conveniently melt ice and snow during inclement weather.

Visit PaceBus.com/Pulse for updates, schedules, and developments.