Regional Transportation Authority Suburban Bus Division

Pace is the operating name for the suburban bus division of the Regional Transportation Authority in the Chicago metropolitan area. It was created in 1983 by the RTA Act. Pace serves Cook, Lake, Will, Kane, McHenry and DuPage Counties. Some of Pace's buses also go into Chicago and Indiana.

History

• Started as Regional Transportation Authority in 1976.
• Renamed Suburban Bus Division in 1982.
• Bought West Towns Bus Company, Suburban Transit System, South Suburban Safeway Lines, Waukegan-North Chicago Transit Company, Aurora Transit System, Elgin City Lines, Joliet Mass Transit District in 1983.
• Took over North Suburban Mass Transit District (NORTRAN) services (but district survived), Highland Park Transit, Wilbus in the mid-80's.

Divisions

• Fox Valley (400 S. Overland Dr., North Aurora, IL)
• Heritage (9 Osgood St., Joliet, IL)
• McHenry Paratransit Facility (5007 Prime Pkwy.)
• North (1400 W. 10th St., Waukegan, IL)
• North Shore (2330 Oakton St., Evanston, IL)
• Northwest (900 E. Northwest Hwy., Des Plaines, IL)
• River (975 S. State St., South Elgin, IL)
• South (2101 W. 163rd Pl., Markham, IL)
• South Holland Acceptance Facility (405 W. Taft Dr., South Holland, IL)
• Southwest (9889 S. Industrial Dr., Bridgeview, IL)
• West (3500 W. Lake St., Melrose Park, IL)

Conventional Roster

Current

Fleet number(s)	Thumbnail	Year	Manufacturer	Model	Engine	Transmission	Notes
2600-2612, 2614-2702		2006	ElDorado National	EZ Rider II MAX 30'	Cummins ISB	Allison B300R
2703-2712, 2714-2741		2007	ElDorado National	EZ Rider II MAX 30'	Cummins ISB	Allison B300R
2742-2766		2009	ElDorado National	EZ Rider II MAX 30'	Cummins ISB	Allison B300R	2766 was displayed at the 2009 BusCon and features an EPA 2010 engine.
2767-2812, 2814-2825		2010	ElDorado National	EZ Rider II MAX 30'	Cummins ISB	Allison B300R	2767 displayed at the 2010 OTE Expo.
2826-2829		2011	ElDorado National	EZ Rider II BRT 32'	Navistar International MaxxForce 9	Allison B400R
2830-2831		2012	Orion	Orion VII EPA10 HEV (07.503)	Cummins ISB6.7	BAE Systems HybriDrive hybrid system
6323-6376		2012-2013	ElDorado National	Axess BRT	Cummins ISL9	Allison B400R
6377-6391		2013	ElDorado National	Axess BRT	Cummins ISL9	Allison B400R	Suburban configuration; (no rear door, high back seats).
6392-6400		2013	ElDorado National	Axess BRT	Cummins ISL9	Allison B400R	2014 models.
6401-6412, 6414-6437		2014	ElDorado National	Axess BRT	Cummins ISL9	Allison B400R	2014 models.
6438-6484		2015	ElDorado National	Axess BRT	Cummins ISL9	Allison B400R	2015 models.
6485-6512, 6514-6575		2016	ElDorado National	Axess BRT	Cummins ISL9	Allison B400R
6700-6712, 6714-6786		2017	ElDorado National	Axess BRT	Cummins L9	Allison B400R
6950-6962		2013	MCI	D4000CT	Cummins ISX12	Allison B500	13 coaches with an option for 37 more.
6963-6971		2015	MCI	D4000CT	Cummins ISX12	Allison B500	6963-6971 have the new headlight design.
6972-6979		2017	MCI	D4000CT	Cummins ISX12	Allison B500
8624-8630		2017	ElDorado National	E-Z Rider II BRT			Used for the Schaumburg Trolley Either 35 or 40 feet long
15500		2014	ElDorado National	Axess BRT CNG	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B400R	Delivered in late 2014.
15501-15512, 15514-15520		2015	ElDorado National	Axess BRT CNG	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B400R	Delivered in late 2015.
17500-17512, 17514-17571		2017	ElDorado National	Axess BRT CNG	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B400R
18500-18510		2018	ElDorado National	Axess BRT CNG	Cummins Westport L9N	Allison B400R
20300-20312, 20314-20399		2020	ElDorado National	Axess BRT 30'	Cummins L9
20400-20412, 20414-20485		2020	New Flyer	XD40	Cummins L9	Allison B3400xFE
20500-20505		2020	ElDorado National	Axess BRT CNG
20506-20512, 20514-20571		2020	ElDorado National	Axess BRT 30'	Cummins L9

On order

Fleet number(s)	Year	Manufacturer	Model	Engine	Transmission	Notes
(20 buses)	2023	Proterra	ZX5 MAX 40'			Announced on 4/5/2022: Proterra won a $26.5M contract from Pace Suburban Bus to deliver 20 Proterra ZX5 Max electric transit buses (675kWh battery) and EV fleet charging infrastructure, with the first electric bus delivery in 2023.

Retired

Fleet Number(s)	Thumbnail	Build Date	Manufacturer	Model	Engine	Transmission	Notes
0001-0005	Renumbered 1951-1955
1941-1947		2000	Chance Coach	AH-25	Cummins ISB	Allison B300R	Numbers are single digits on exterior Replaced by 8624-8630.
100-104		1974	GMC	T6H-4523A			Ex-Joliet MTD
146-165		1975	GMC	T8H-5307A			Ex-Suburban Transit System 160 wrecked and scrapped early on. 19 units repainted into Pace colors.
200-213		1975	Flxible	35096-6-1			Ex-Joliet MTD
401-474		1975	GMC	T8H-5307A			Ex-NORTRAN 467 wrecked and scrapped early on. Most but not all repainted into Pace colors.
594-599		1966	GMC	TDH-5303			Owned by Chicago South Suburban Mass Transit District. Leased to South Suburban Safeway Lines, later RTA/Pace.
600-611		1967	GMC	TDH-5303			Owned by Chicago South Suburban Mass Transit District. Leased to South Suburban Safeway Lines, later RTA/Pace. 603 repainted into Pace colors.
701-755		1973	GMC	T8H-5307A			Owned by Chicago South Suburban Mass Transit District. Leased to South Suburban Safeway Lines, later RTA/Pace. 702 wrecked and scrapped early on. 701, 706-708, 711-712, 714-721, 723-729, 731-732, 734, 736-744, 746-749, 753-755 were rebuilt, the remainder were scrapped. 717 wrecked soon after rebuilding. 702, 706-707, 711-712, 714-718, 720-721, 723-726, 728-729, 731-732, 736, 738-744, 746-747, 753-755 were sold to the CTA.
757, 760-761		1951	GMC	TDH-4509			Ex-West Towns Bus Company, only kept on the roster by West Towns to "pad the valuation". Last used around 1979 when several were loaned (in very bad condition) to Michigan City Municipal Coach. Immediately scrapped by RTA/Pace in 1982.
761-766		1976	Flxible	35096-6-1			Owned by NORTRAN Leased to Wilbus Later at Waukegan. Later to PACE ownership Moved to Highland Park.
763, 765-767, 769-777, 780-782		1949	GMC	TDH-4509			Ex-West Towns Bus Company, only kept on the roster by West Towns to "pad the valuation". Last used around 1979 when several were loaned (in very bad condition) to Michigan City Municipal Coach. Immediately scrapped by RTA/Pace in 1982 except for 771 which was kept as a relic.
801-810		1960	GMC	TDH-4517			Ex-West Towns Bus Company 807 wrecked and scrapped early on. 801-806, 810 were repainted. 808-809 had full rebuilds.
811-835		1961	GMC	TDH-4517			Ex-West Towns Bus Company 815, 821, 827 were repainted. 811-814, 816-817, 819-820, 822-826, 828-832 had full rebuilds.
836-850		1962	GMC	TDH-4517			Ex-West Towns Bus Company
851-875		1964	GMC	TDH-4519			Ex-West Towns Bus Company
876-880		1965	GMC	TDH-4519			Ex-West Towns Bus Company
881-890		1967	GMC	TDH-4519			Ex-West Towns Bus Company 885 wrecked and scrapped early on.
901-903		1976	Mercedes-Benz	O309D			For Bensenville service.
1040-1043		1974	GMC	T6H-4523A			Ex-Elgin DOT
1051-1053		1968	GMC	TGH-3502			Ex-Elgin DOT
1061-1067		1973	Highway Products	TC-31			Ex-Elgin DOT
1901-1908		1984	Chance Coach	RT-50			For Niles service.
1911		1980	Chance Coach	RT-50			Ex-?; bought in 1991. Serial - 80-7079. For Niles service.
1920-1937		1994	Chance Coach	RT-52
1951-1955		2008	IC Bus ElDorado National	Aero Elite 32'			Formerly 0001-0005. Were used on the Village Of Downers Grove service previously
2000-2012, 2014-2084		1990	BIA	Orion I (01.507)	Detroit Diesel 6V92TA	Allison HT-748	2044 & 2030 to CyRide 983-984. 2007, 2012 & 2022 were spotted, partially scrapped at a likely abandoned scrap yard in Ohio in January 2019.
2085-2112, 2114-2129		1990	BIA	Orion I (01.508)	Detroit Diesel 6V92TA		2085, 2088, 2091, 2096, 2099, 2101, 2103, 2114, 2119, 2129 and 3 other units sold to Chicago Transit Authority 4922, 4915, 4916, 4920, 4919, 4918, 4917, 4921, 4923, 4924, ?, ?, ? in 2005.
2200-2212, 2214-2271		1992	Ikarus USA	416.05	Detroit Diesel 6V92TA	Allison HTB-748	1991 models. Last model 416 buses built by Ikarus USA, before becoming American Ikarus in 1992. Delivered in March to May 1992. Retired in 2004-2008. View the series page for detailed disposition info.
2272-2291		1992-1993	BIA	Orion I (01.507)	Detroit Diesel 6V92TA	Allison HTB-748
2292-2312, 2314-2377		1993	BIA	Orion I (01.508)	Detroit Diesel 6V92TA	Allison HTB-748
2378		7/1993	BIA	Orion I (01.507)			Was a replacement for 8800.
2379-2400		1995	Nova Bus	Classic (TC40-102A)	Detroit Diesel Series 50	Allison B400R
2401-2412, 2414-2422, 2453		1998-1999	NABI	40-LFW (040.04)	Detroit Diesel Series 50?	Allison B400R	Retired in 2011-2012 2453 was possibly a demo?
2423-2452		1998-1999	NABI	35-LFW (035.02)	Detroit Diesel Series 50?	Allison B400R	Retired in 2011-2012
2500-2512, 2514-2532		1996	ElDorado National	Transmark RE
2533-2556		1997	ElDorado National	Transmark RE
6000-6012, 6014-6088		2000	OBI	Orion VI (06.501)	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B400R	Retired in January 2018
6089-6112, 6114-6155		2001	OBI	Orion VI (06.501)	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B400R	Retired in January 2018
6156-6161		2002	OBI	Orion VI (06.501)	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B400R	Delivery delayed for almost 2 years (originally ordered in 2002) while penalty issues were settled. Retired in December 2017
6162-6212, 6214-6233		2002	NABI	40-LFW (040.28)	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B400R
6234-6261		2003	NABI	40-LFW (040.28)	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B400R
6262-6312, 6314-6322		2005	NABI	40-LFW (040.28)	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B400R
6600-6612, 6614-6655		2002	NABI	35-LFW	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B400R
6656-6684		2003	NABI	35-LFW	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B400R
6900-6907		2002	MCI	D4000N	Detroit Diesel Series 60	Allison B500
6910-6912, 6914-6919		1997-2000	MCI	102-DL3			Leased from Hausman in 2013-2014.
6920-6922		2009	MCI	D4505			Leased from Hausman in 2013-2014.
6923		2007	MCI	J4500			Leased from Hausman in 2013-2014.
7150-7169		1983	Carpenter	CBW-300			CTA 150-169; leased in 1986. All returned, some were later leased out for paratransit service, several became work buses.
8000-8155		1976	GMC	T6H-4523A	Detroit Diesel 6V71N	Allison	8100 & 8113 to CyRide 928-929.
8201-8300		1979	Grumman Flxible	870 (53102-8-1)	Detroit Diesel 8V71T	Allison V730	8213 was hit by a dump truck and scrapped.
8301-8405		1979	Grumman Flxible	870 (53096-8-1)	Detroit Diesel 8V71N	Allison V730
8406		1982	Flxible	Metro "A" (40102-6T)	Detroit Diesel 6V92TA	Allison V730	Ex-Demonstrator acquired in 1985. Was a replacement for 8213.
8600-8619		1986	Gillig	Phantom 35' (35102TB6V92TA)	Detroit Diesel 6V92TA	Allison HTB-748
8625		1987	Boyertown	TVB-360			Trolley replica used in Joliet.
8700-8800		1988	BIA	Orion I (01.508)	Detroit Diesel 6V92TA	Allison HT-748	8700, 8705, 8737, 8747, 8755, 8782, & 8795 to Private Transportation 228, 227, 226, 219 (1st), 219 (2nd), 211 (2nd), & 221. 8723 is preserved by a private owner. 8770, 8790, & 8761 to CyRide 980-982. 8800 was destroyed (power lines fell on the bus causing a fire) and scrapped.
8801-8812, 8814-8872		1989	BIA	Orion I (01.508)			8829, 8831, 8856, & 8864 to Cong Maten Torah 8829, 8831, 8856, & 8864. 8847 & 8848 to Private Transportation 231-232.
8873-8912, 8914-8923		1990	BIA	Orion I (01.508)

Demonstrators

Fleet number(s)	Thumbnail	Year	Manufacturer	Model	Engine	Transmission	Notes
2010		2010	Eldorado National	Axess BRT			Demo unit, returned to manufacturer

Paratransit Roster

Current

Fleet number(s)	Thumbnail	Year	Manufacturer	Model	Engine	Transmission	Notes
5130-5212, 5214-5275		2008	Ford ElDorado National	Aerotech			5240 only known active unit.
5276-5312, 5314-5347		2009	Ford ElDorado National	Aerotech
5348-5412, 5414-5499		2010	Ford ElDorado National	Aerotech
5700-5712, 5714-5726		2008	Ford ElDorado National	Aerolite
5727-5746		2010	Ford ElDorado National	Aerolite
5981-5999		2010	Ford ElDorado National	Aerotech
14001-14121		2013	Ford ElDorado National	E450 Aerotech
14122-14157		2014	Ford ElDorado National	E450 Aerotech
14200		2013	Ford ElDorado National	E350 Aerolite
14201-14297		2014	Ford ElDorado National	E350 Aerolite
16001-16050		2016	Ford ElDorado National	E350 Aerolite
16400-16434		2016	Champion Bus Chevrolet	Crusader Express			Community vans.
17001-17120		2017	Ford ElDorado National	E350 Aerolite
18001-18012, 18014-18029		2018	Ford ElDorado National	E350 Aerolite
18400-18402		2018	Champion Bus Chevrolet	Crusader Express			Community vans.

Retired

Fleet number(s)	Thumbnail	Year	Manufacturer	Model	Engine	Transmission	Notes
4000-4012, 4014-4070		1989	Ford Champion	Challenger
4100-4140		1990-91	Ford Goshen	GC II
4142-4186		1996	Ford ElDorado National	Aerolite 95
4200-4212, 4214-4311		1990	Ford ElDorado National	Aerotech 220
4314-4387		1995	Ford ElDorado National	Aerolite 95
4390-4412, 4414-4420		1995	Ford ElDorado National	Aerotech 220
4422-4491		1996	Ford ElDorado National	Aerotech 220
4501-4537		1989	Ford Braun	Van
4600-4658		1990-91	Ford Braun	Van
4659-4675		1993	Ford Braun	Van
5000-5012, 5014-5085		2000-01	Chevrolet ElDorado National	Aerolite			5085 delivered as 5013.
5086-5103		2002	Chevrolet ElDorado National	Aerolite
5104-5112, 5114-5119		2003	Ford ElDorado National	Aerolite
5120-5127		2004	Ford ElDorado National	Aerolite
5500-5512, 5514-5590		2000-01	Ford ElDorado National	Aerotech			5590 delivered as 5513.
5591-5607		2002	Ford ElDorado National	Aerotech
5608-5612, 5614-5623		2003	Ford ElDorado National	Aerotech
5624-5644		2004	Ford ElDorado National	Aerotech
5800-5812, 5814-5831		2000-01	Ford ElDorado National	Aerotech
5832-5860		2002	Ford ElDorado National	Aerotech
5861-5876		2003	Ford ElDorado National	Aerotech
7001-7020		1988-89	Ford Goshen	GC II			Originally owned by Village of Oakbrook Center.
7021-7048		2007	Champion Bus Chevrolet	Crusader Express			Community vans.
7049-7073		2009	Champion Bus Chevrolet	Crusader Express			Community vans.
7074-7081		2012	Champion Bus Chevrolet	Crusader Express			Community vans.
8410		1986	Ford Champion	Challenger
8411-8458		1979	GMC Superior	TL700
8460-8540		1983	Ford Fortibus
8542-8543, 8548, 8550-8599		1986	Ford Champion	Challenger
8620-8624		5/1987	OBI	Orion II 02.501
8626-8634		1988	Ford Braun	Van
11101-11110		2010	Ford Startrans	Senator Hybrid
14400-14419		2014	Champion Bus Chevrolet	Crusader Express			Community vans.

External links

• www.pacebus.com