Find Pace Bus Routes, Schedule Times, Stops, Fares and Live Arrivals
Pace is the suburban bus network for northeastern Illinois, serving communities across Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties. A useful Pace schedule search starts by identifying the right service type and route before checking a timetable.
This guide brings together fixed routes, Pulse rapid bus service, On Demand zones, fares, transfers, PDF schedules, stop-reading guidance, live tracking, accessibility and service alerts so you can move from “which bus?” to a practical trip plan.
ROUTE → DIRECTION → TIMEPOINT → STOP → LIVE ARRIVAL
Service region
Six northeastern Illinois counties
Municipalities served
274
Service area
3,677 square miles
Fixed-route network
More than 130 routes
Standard Ventra fare
$2.00
Verified
Quick answer
Start With the Right Pace Service Before Looking for a Bus Time
Not every Pace trip works like a normal numbered bus. Fixed routes follow published alignments and timetables, Pulse uses fewer high-amenity stations, and On Demand requires a trip within a designated zone and normally a reservation.
Regular Fixed Route
Numbered routes such as 208, 250, 301, 311, 364, 501, 600 and 832 follow published schedules.
Find the route or service
Search by route number, route name, nearby corridor or an origin and destination in Pace’s trip planner.
Choose the direction
A route can have separate northbound, southbound, eastbound, westbound or terminal-specific schedules.
Match the service day
Weekday, Saturday, Sunday, holiday, event and school-day service may differ significantly.
Check the live trip
Use Bus Tracker or the Transit/Ventra tools after reading the published timetable.
Do not use a route number alone as your complete trip plan. Check the route name, direction, effective date, service day and any active Passenger Notice.
Pace’s official route search contains numbered fixed, limited, express, event and local services plus Pulse and On Demand options. Tap a route number below to open its official Pace page.
Route lists change: Pace adds, restores, pilots, reroutes and occasionally suspends services. Use the official Pace route search as the final route-directory check.
Regional trip logic
How Pace Connects the Suburbs With Metra and CTA
The official regional system map shows Pace routes feeding Metra stations, CTA rail terminals, employment centers and other transfer points. The simplified diagram below explains the trip logic without pretending to replace the full regional map.
Do not assume a timed connection. A Pace route may serve a Metra or CTA station without guaranteeing that every bus meets every train.
Built from Pace’s official schedule-reading guide
How to Read Pace Bus Schedule Times Without Choosing the Wrong Trip
Pace’s schedule documents use route maps and numbered “timepoints.” The numbered locations on the timetable correspond to major locations on the route map; they are reference points, not necessarily the only stops.
Example timetable logic
Timepoint 4
Timepoint 5
Your stop
Timepoint 6
7:30
7:42
Between
7:51
8:00
8:12
Between
8:21
The times above are an illustration of how to read a schedule, not a real Pace timetable.
Check the cover first.
Pace says the schedule cover identifies the route number, route name, major destinations, effective date and days of service.
Find your location on the route map.
Numbered circles represent major timepoints that correspond to numbered timetable columns.
Locate the closest timepoint before and after your stop.
If your stop lies between them, the bus should normally reach you between the two listed times.
Read the footnotes.
An asterisk, number, letter or symbol next to a departure can indicate a routing exception, skipped destination or special trip.
Confirm the service day.
Pace schedules can differ on weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Finish with a live prediction.
Use the exact route, direction and stop in Bus Tracker shortly before boarding.
The footnote can completely change your trip. Pace’s own schedule-reading guide shows an example where a lettered trip follows different routing and does not serve a destination that other trips serve.
Pace Stops: Timepoints, Posted Stops and Flag-Stop Rules
Timepoint
A major intersection, station or destination printed on the map and timetable. It helps estimate when the bus reaches nearby stops.
Posted stop
Many Pace routes serve marked bus stops. Some route pages explicitly state that the route serves posted stops only.
Flag stop
Pace’s schedule-reading guide notes that some routes may allow riders to wave down a bus at a safe intersection. Check the specific route instructions first.
Example: Route 209
Pace identifies Route 209 Busse Highway as a posted-stops-only route. Riders should use the official stop-location information rather than waiting anywhere along the street.
Wrong-side-of-street problem: the same intersection can have separate stops for opposite directions. Match the destination direction and stop location, not merely the street name.
Fare information verified August 12, 2026
Pace Bus Fare, Cash Price and Premium Fare
Pace’s 2026 approved budget kept the standard suburban fare unchanged. The current fare depends on service type, eligibility and payment method.
Regular Fixed Route$2.00Ventra, eligible mobile wallet/app or contactless bank card
Cash is $2.25. Reduced fare is $1.00 with an eligible reduced-fare Ventra card or $1.10 cash with proof of eligibility.
On Demand$2.00Ventra / supported contactless payment
Cash is $2.25. Exact cash fare is required because drivers do not make change.
Premium Route$4.50Current full fare
Reduced Premium fare is $2.25. Certain passes require an additional Premium surcharge rather than covering the entire Premium fare.
Free Service$0Selected local routes only
Some services are locally subsidized. For example, reinstated Niles Routes 410, 411 and 412 are listed as free service.
Pass
Current Price
Where It Works
Premium Route Note
Pace/CTA 1-Day
$5
Pace regular fixed route, On Demand and CTA for 24 hours
Premium surcharge applies
Pace/CTA 3-Day
$15
Pace regular/On Demand and CTA for 3 consecutive days
Premium surcharge applies
Pace/CTA 7-Day
$20
Pace regular/On Demand and CTA
Premium surcharge applies
Pace/CTA 30-Day
$75 full / $35 reduced
Pace regular/On Demand and CTA
Premium surcharge applies
Pace 30-Day
$60 full / $30 reduced
Pace regular fixed route and On Demand
Premium surcharge applies
Pace Premium 30-Day
$140 full / $70 reduced
Pace Premium, regular and local routes
Premium service included
Student-fare verification alert: Pace’s current transfer page describes a 2026 student-fare pilot of 75¢ with free regular transfers, while Pace’s dedicated student information page still displays older $1.00 Ventra and $1.10 cash figures. Because two official Pace pages are not synchronized, student riders should verify the current rule through Pace/Ventra before travel rather than relying on an older saved screenshot.
Transfers are a major reason not to assume that cash and Ventra cost the same over a complete trip. Pace says transfer benefits require Ventra transit value; cash payments do not receive transfers.
First ride
1
Tap your Ventra Card or eligible Ventra-linked payment.
Transfer window
2h
Complete the next boarding within the two-hour transfer window.
Regular Pace transfer
$0
Full and reduced Ventra riders transfer from a regular route to another regular Pace route for $0.
Second transfer
2
Pace states the rider’s second transfer is free.
Beyond that
+
There is no third transfer; another boarding is charged as a new fare.
Premium exception: transferring from a regular route to a Premium route requires a Premium transfer charge. Check the current fare table because Premium surcharges differ by fare status and pass type.
Pulse is Pace’s limited-stop arterial rapid transit service. Pace describes Pulse as using enhanced stations, raised platforms, improved accessibility and frequent service, with many corridors also benefiting from transit signal priority.
Pulse Milwaukee Line
The first Pulse line began service in August 2019 along Milwaukee Avenue. It offers fewer stops than the underlying local route pattern and uses dedicated Pulse stations.
Pulse Dempster Line
Pulse Dempster began service in August 2023 and serves the Dempster Street corridor with rapid-bus station spacing and regional transit connections.
Typical Pulse frequency
Pace describes Pulse service generally as operating every 15–20 minutes, though the actual timetable for each line controls.
Pulse fare
Current Pulse service uses Pace’s regular fixed-route fare structure rather than a separate rapid-transit base fare.
Walking distance
Pulse stations are spaced farther apart than local stops. Local bus service continues to serve stops between Pulse stations where applicable.
11 reservation-based service zones
Pace On Demand Schedule, Hours and Reservation Numbers
On Demand is open to the general public and is ADA accessible. The trip must begin and end inside the selected service zone. Reservations can be requested up to seven days in advance and as little as ten minutes before pickup, subject to availability.
Book online or in the app
Pace recommends the On Demand app as the easiest way to book, change, view or cancel a reservation.
Be ready early
Pace asks phone-booked riders to be ready at least 15 minutes before the scheduled pickup time.
Shared ride
Pickups and drop-offs are arranged efficiently and another passenger’s destination may not be directly along your own path.
45-minute rule
Pace currently applies a 45-minute minimum period between an individual rider’s On Demand trips within the same service area.
Some scheduled stops
Most On Demand zones have certain scheduled stops that may be boarded without a pre-arranged reservation.
Reservation availability
A requested time is not guaranteed. Capacity is first-come, first-served.
On Demand transfer advantage: Pace says transfers between On Demand and regular Pace fixed-route service are free when using Ventra. Cash riders pay a full fare each time they board.
Pace Bus Tracker: Check the Next Bus at Your Exact Stop
Pace Bus Tracker provides predicted departures for thousands of locations across nearly every bus route. The lookup process is route → direction → stop.
Online Bus Tracker
Select the route, direction and stop. Pace says the tracker displays the next three predicted arrival times.
Prediction limitation
A prediction is not a guarantee. Traffic, detours, vehicle assignments and data outages can change actual arrival time.
Trip-planner limitation: Pace says certain express services and school-days-only trips are not included in its Transit-powered trip-planner results. Check the route PDF when your trip depends on one of those services.
Pace Saturday, Sunday and Holiday Schedules
Do not assume that every Pace route follows the same holiday rule. Pace publishes holiday-specific notices listing which routes use Sunday schedules, which operate limited/as-published service and which do not operate.
Weekday route
Some routes do not operate Saturday or Sunday. A Monday-through-Friday timetable should not be carried over to a holiday automatically.
Sunday-schedule holiday
A holiday notice can direct selected routes to operate their normal Sunday timetable.
Limited / as published
Certain limited, work-trip, trolley or event services may follow their own published schedule.
Why this matters: Pace’s July 4, 2026 service notice divided routes into Sunday-schedule service, limited/as-published service and routes with no holiday service. “Holiday schedule” is therefore not one universal timetable.
Wheelchair Accessibility and Free Fixed-Route Rides for ADA-Certified Riders
Pace says its fixed-route buses are fully accessible and include ramps, priority seating, wheelchair securement areas, and automated audio and visual stop announcements.
Ramps and kneeling buses
Fixed-route buses can kneel and use ramps to make boarding easier.
Wheelchair securement
Operators can assist riders with boarding, exiting and securing wheelchairs or other mobility devices when needed.
Audio and visual stops
Automated route identification and stop announcements help riders follow their trip.
ADA-certified riders
As of October 1, 2025, riders certified for ADA Paratransit by the RTA can ride Pace fixed routes free using the applicable ADA fare credential.
What is not included
The free fixed-route program does not make On Demand, traditional ADA Paratransit, TAP or RAP free.
Accessibility help
Questions about accessible Pace service can be directed to Passenger Services.
Vehicle access is not identical to stop access. A fully accessible bus can still serve a temporary or permanent stop where sidewalk, snow, construction or curb conditions make boarding more difficult.
Bikes and E-Bikes on Pace Buses
Pace says its 30-foot and 40-foot fixed-route buses have front bike racks. Standard manual bikes and qualifying electric bikes can use the exterior rack when they meet Pace’s size and weight rules.
Rack capacity
Pace bike racks hold two bicycles.
Maximum bike weight
Up to 55 pounds for a bike placed on the front rack.
Wheel requirements
Up to a 44-inch wheelbase, tires up to 2.3 inches wide, and wheel sizes from 20 to 29 inches.
Bike fare
Pace says bicycles ride free when carried on the bus rack.
Folding bikes and scooters
Qualifying folding devices may be carried inside when folded, powered off, properly stowed and kept under the rider’s control.
Non-folding e-bikes
They are not allowed inside Pace buses but may use the exterior rack if they meet the published rack limits.
The regional map below is hosted by Pace and published by the Regional Transportation Authority. The linked edition is dated September 2025, so route-specific 2026 schedule pages should control when a later service change conflicts with the map.
Pace’s official document explains schedule covers, effective dates, route maps, numbered timepoints, posted-stop versus flag-stop rules, timetable columns and footnotes. It is a reading guide rather than a source of current route departure times.
PDF freshness rule: the effective date printed on a route PDF matters more than the date you downloaded it. When two copies exist, Pace instructs riders to use the newest effective date.
Reservation-service tutorial
How Pace On Demand Fits Into a Transit Trip
Pace’s On Demand page links to this tutorial to show how Transit trip planning can identify On Demand as part of a journey and lead riders into the reservation workflow.
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Before You Leave for a Pace Bus
Confirm the route number and route name.
Check the timetable’s effective date.
Select the correct direction.
Confirm weekday, Saturday, Sunday or holiday service.
Read every letter, symbol and timetable footnote.
Find the nearest timepoint to your actual stop.
Confirm whether the route serves posted stops only.
Check current Passenger Notices for detours.
Open Bus Tracker for the live prediction.
Prepare Ventra/contactless payment or exact cash.
Allow time for a CTA or Metra connection.
Save Customer Relations information for problems.
Lost Something on a Pace Bus?
For a fixed-route bus, Pace says the easiest first step is Customer Relations at 847-364-7223, option 3. If you know the operating division, the route PDF can help identify the carrier information and garage contact.
Write down the route number.
Pace needs to know which service you were riding.
Record the date and approximate time.
A narrow time window makes it easier to identify the correct vehicle or operating division.
Record where you got off.
Include the stop, intersection, station or transit center.
Describe where the item was last seen.
Mention the seat, floor area, rack or facility when known.
Protect sensitive accounts immediately.
Lock payment cards or mobile devices instead of waiting for a lost-item search.
Follow the garage or Customer Relations instructions.
Items may not be processed until a bus returns to its operating facility.
ADA Paratransit / Dial-a-Ride assistance800-606-1282
Pace Newsline847-228-2322
Recorded service updates are available 24 hours a day.
Mailing address
Pace
550 W. Algonquin Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
When reporting a problem: give the route, direction, stop/location, date, time and bus number when visible. Those details are much more actionable than saying only that “the Pace bus was late.”
Independent-site disclosure: busschedule.us is an informational website and is not Pace Suburban Bus, the Regional Transportation Authority, CTA, Metra or Ventra. Live operations, fares, reservations and official service changes remain under the control of the relevant transit agency.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pace Bus Schedules
Where can I find the current Pace bus schedule?
Use Pace’s official Routes, Schedules and Maps page to search by route number or route name. Open the route page, select the correct direction and check its published schedule and PDF effective date.
How much is a regular Pace bus fare?
The current regular fixed-route fare is $2.00 with eligible Ventra, mobile or contactless payment and $2.25 when paying cash. Reduced fares apply to eligible riders.
Can I pay cash on a Pace bus?
Yes, but Pace requires exact cash fare and cash payments do not receive transfer benefits. The standard cash fixed-route fare is currently $2.25.
Are Pace transfers free?
When paying with eligible Ventra transit value, a transfer from a regular Pace route to another regular Pace route is currently $0 within the two-hour transfer window. Cash riders do not receive transfers.
How do I know when Pace reaches a stop that is not printed in the timetable?
Find the nearest printed timepoint before and after your stop. Your bus should generally reach an intermediate stop between those times. For a better estimate, use the exact stop in Pace Bus Tracker.
Does every Pace route run on Saturday and Sunday?
No. Service days vary by route. Some operate daily, some weekdays only, and some have limited or special schedules. Always check the route page and service-day heading.
What is Pace Pulse?
Pulse is Pace’s arterial rapid transit service with limited stops, enhanced stations and frequent service. Current operating lines include Pulse Milwaukee and Pulse Dempster.
What is Pace On Demand?
Pace On Demand is an ADA-accessible shared-ride service open to the public in 11 designated suburban zones. Trips normally must start and end within the selected zone and are reservation based.
How early can I reserve Pace On Demand?
Pace allows reservations up to seven days in advance and as little as ten minutes before pickup, but the requested time depends on available capacity.
How do I track a Pace bus live?
Open Pace Bus Tracker, select your route, choose the direction and select the exact stop. Pace says the system displays the next three predicted arrival times.
Does the Pace trip planner show every route?
No. Pace states that certain express services and school-days-only trips may not appear in Transit-powered trip-planner results. Check the route PDF when one of those trips may apply.
Are Pace fixed-route buses wheelchair accessible?
Yes. Pace states that its fixed-route fleet is fully accessible with ramps, priority seating, wheelchair securement areas and audio/visual stop announcements.
Can I bring a bicycle on Pace?
Pace’s 30-foot and 40-foot fixed-route buses have front bike racks. The rack holds two bikes and has published size and weight restrictions.
What should I check before traveling on a holiday?
Check the Pace Passenger Notices page. Holiday operation can vary route by route, with some buses following Sunday schedules, others running limited service and some not operating.
What do letters or symbols next to a Pace timetable time mean?
They point to a timetable footnote. The footnote may identify a routing change, skipped destination, special trip or other exception, so read it before selecting that departure.
How do I contact Pace about a lost item?
Call Pace Customer Relations at 847-364-7223, option 3. Have your route number, travel date, approximate time and the location where you left the bus available.
