Find the Right Pace Bus Route, Schedule, Stop and Real-Time Arrival
Pace operates a large suburban transit network across northeastern Illinois, so finding the correct bus means matching a route number, direction, service day, boarding stop and current timetable rather than relying on a generic departure time.
This guide brings the official route finder, timetable-reading method, live Bus Tracker, fares, Pulse rapid transit, On Demand options, ADA information, regional map and rider troubleshooting into one practical workflow.
How to Check a Pace Bus Schedule Without Using the Wrong Time
The safest method is to find the official route page first. Pace publishes a schedule for each fixed bus route, and individual route pages provide route details, direction-specific times and a downloadable PDF schedule.
Find the route
Search by route number or route name in Pace’s official Routes, Schedules and Maps directory.
Choose direction
Match the terminal or destination shown on the bus rather than guessing from the road name.
Choose service day
Weekday, Saturday, Sunday and holiday schedules may be completely different.
Locate the stop
Find your stop or the nearest numbered timepoint on the official map.
Check real time
Use Pace Bus Tracker or the Transit app shortly before boarding.
Important: a published timetable is the planned schedule. Bus Tracker is the better source for what the bus is doing now.
Pace’s current route directory allows riders to search using a bus route number or route name. The directory includes regular suburban routes, limited services, express services and Pulse routes.
You know the route number
Enter numbers such as 250, 301, 352, 364 or 600 into the official Pace route search.
You know the corridor
Search by a familiar name such as Dempster Street, Roosevelt Road, Halsted or Milwaukee Avenue.
You only know the destination
Use Pace’s Trip Planner instead. Enter your starting point and destination and let the planner compare Pace, CTA, Metra and applicable Pace flexible services.
Trip Planner limitation: Pace warns that certain express services and school-days-only trips may not appear in planner results. When a trip is irregular, check the published route schedule directly.
Do not assume every Pace service works the same way
Pace Fixed Routes, Pulse, On Demand and ADA Service Explained
Regular Fixed Route
Buses follow a published route and timetable. Most riders board at posted Pace bus stops and pay when boarding.
This is the service type most people mean when they search for a “Pace bus schedule.”
Pulse Rapid Transit
Pulse provides limited-stop, higher-frequency service with enhanced stations and transit-priority features.
Current operating Pulse corridors are Milwaukee Avenue and Dempster Street.
Pace On Demand
On Demand is reservation-based service operating inside designated suburban zones rather than along one conventional fixed route.
Use Pace’s trip planner or Transit app because these tools can incorporate On Demand options into trip results.
ADA Paratransit
ADA Paratransit serves eligible riders whose disability or health condition prevents some or all use of fixed-route transit.
RTA certification is required before using the service.
Vanpool & VanGo
Pace also operates commuter and reservation-based mobility programs that work differently from a scheduled fixed-route bus.
Do not use a normal route timetable to plan these services.
Premium / Special Service
Some Pace services use a premium fare or operate only for particular events, commuter patterns or limited periods.
Always read the fare classification shown on the individual route page.
Representative routes—not a complete directory
Examples of Pace Bus Routes and What Their Names Tell You
Pace operates more than 139 fixed bus routes. The examples below demonstrate why both the route number and route name matter when selecting a schedule.
208 – Golf Road
A major northern suburban corridor. Pace’s official schedule-reading guide uses Route 208 as its timetable example.
223 – Elk Grove – Rosemont CTA Station
The route name immediately identifies Rosemont as a major transfer destination.
250 – Dempster Street
Local Dempster Street service. Pulse Dempster operates along the corridor as a separate limited-stop option.
270 – Milwaukee Avenue
Local Milwaukee Avenue service operating in a corridor also served by Pulse Milwaukee.
301 – Roosevelt Road
One of the network’s major numbered suburban routes and a useful reminder to check direction before reading the timetable.
308 – Medical Center
A destination-oriented route name where medical appointments make live-arrival checking especially useful.
352 – Halsted
Serves Pace’s high-ridership Halsted corridor. Future Pulse infrastructure is planned for part of this corridor.
364 – 159th Street
Pace expanded weekday service in 2026, illustrating why old timetable screenshots should not be trusted after a service change.
390 – Midway CTA – UPS Hodgkins Limited
A limited route where the route name itself warns riders that service is more specialized than a normal all-day local route.
How Pace Connects Chicago Suburbs with CTA and Metra
This custom diagram explains the network relationship rather than reproducing the official geographic map. Use the official regional PDF below for street-level route planning.
Regional map insight: the official Pace/CTA/Metra system map combines multiple operators because many useful suburban trips require a transfer rather than one direct bus.
Based on Pace’s official schedule-reading guide
How to Read a Pace Bus Schedule and Timepoint Map
Pace’s official schedule guide explains that each route schedule includes a route number and name, major destinations, an effective date, days of service, a route map, numbered timepoints and the timetable itself.
Terminal1
7:30 AM
Main Road2
7:41 AM
Your Stop•
Between timepoints
Transfer Center3
7:52 AM
Final Stop4
8:05 AM
1 Terminal
2 Main Road
3 Transit Center
4 Final Stop
7:00
7:11
7:22
7:35
7:30
7:41
7:52
8:05
8:00
8:11
8:22
8:35
Timepoints are reference stops
Numbered circles on Pace route maps identify major stops or “timepoints.” The bus can serve additional stops between those numbered locations.
Your stop may not appear in the table
Find your stop on the route map and compare it with the nearest timepoint before and after your location.
Estimate between two timepoints
If your stop is after a listed timepoint, expect the bus shortly after that time. If your stop comes before a listed timepoint, expect it slightly earlier.
Read every footnote
Pace warns that letters, asterisks, numbers and symbols next to departure times can indicate special routing or a stop that a particular trip does not serve.
Check the effective date
When you have two PDFs for one route, use the current effective date rather than assuming the first document you find is valid.
Check the service day
A weekday bus does not necessarily run at the same time—or at all—on Saturday, Sunday or a holiday.
Critical footnote lesson: Pace’s own guide gives an example where certain letter-marked trips follow different routing and skip a destination. A blank timetable cell can therefore mean “this trip does not serve that stop,” not “time unknown.”
Real-time bus information
Pace Bus Tracker: Check Where the Bus Is Now
Pace Bus Tracker uses real-time vehicle information to provide predicted arrivals and departures. Select a route, direction and bus stop to see the next predicted buses.
STOP 5821 • EXAMPLE
Route 2504 min
Route 25018 min
Route 25032 min
PACE BUS
Use Bus Tracker in this order
Select the route.
Make sure the route number matches the schedule you already checked.
Select the direction.
Use the final destination shown by Pace.
Select the stop.
Choose the exact boarding location rather than a nearby intersection.
Read the next predictions.
Pace’s tracker can display the next several predicted arrivals.
Text-message arrivals
Pace also supports stop-based SMS arrival requests. Use the stop code shown on the Pace sign and follow the current instructions on the Bus Tracker Tools page.
At the beginning of a route: Pace recommends using departure information rather than arrival information when you are waiting at the route’s starting point.
Current fare page reviewed August 10, 2026
Pace Bus Fares: Ventra, Cash, Premium and ADA
Most regular fixed routes use Pace’s standard fare, but premium routes and ADA Paratransit have different prices. Check the individual route page when you are unsure of its fare class.
Regular Fixed Route$2.00Full fare with Ventra, mobile wallet, app or accepted contactless bank card
Reduced Ventra fare is $1.00.
Regular Cash Fare$2.25Cash payment on a regular fixed route
Reduced cash fare with proof of eligibility is $1.10. Cash payments do not include transfers.
Premium Route$4.50Full premium fare
Reduced premium fare is $2.25. Passholders may pay an additional premium surcharge instead of the complete premium fare.
ADA Paratransit$3.25Per eligible ADA Paratransit trip
Riders must be RTA-certified to use ADA Paratransit.
Pace/CTA 1-Day Pass
$5 for unlimited rides for 24 hours on CTA buses/trains and Pace regular fixed-route and On Demand service. Premium service requires the applicable surcharge.
Pace/CTA 3-Day Pass
$15 for unlimited qualifying Pace and CTA rides during three consecutive days beginning when activated.
Regional Day Pass
Pace also participates in a regional pass covering Pace, CTA and Metra. Check the current official fare page for eligibility and purchase details.
Cash and Ventra are not equivalent. Pace states that cash payments do not include transfers, while eligible Ventra trips can receive transfer benefits within the allowed transfer window.
Board
1
Tap or pay your first fare.
Ride
2
Stay within the eligible transfer period.
Transfer
3
Tap the same eligible Ventra payment source.
Premium?
$
A premium surcharge may still apply.
Finish
✓
Confirm the next route and boarding point.
Cash-transfer trap: paying cash on the first bus can make a multi-leg journey more expensive because cash rides do not receive Pace’s electronic transfer benefit.
Pace currently operates two Pulse rapid-transit lines: Milwaukee and Dempster. Pulse uses fewer stops, enhanced stations and transit-priority technology to provide faster, more frequent corridor service.
Pulse Milwaukee Line
Operates between Golf Mill in Niles and Jefferson Park Transit Center in Chicago.
Stations include locations along Milwaukee Avenue at Dempster, Main, Oakton, Harlem, Touhy, Devon, Austin and Central.
Pace publishes approximately 15-minute service during much of the day, with approximately 20-minute service later at night.
Connects Evanston, Skokie, Morton Grove, Niles, Park Ridge, Des Plaines and Rosemont.
Major destinations include the O’Hare Multi-Modal Facility, Allstate Arena, Lutheran General Hospital, Dempster-Skokie Yellow Line and downtown Evanston.
Pace publishes approximately 15-minute service during most daytime periods and approximately 20-minute service during lower-frequency periods.
Local versus Pulse: Pulse Milwaukee does not replace local Route 270, and Pulse Dempster operates in addition to Route 250. Choose Pulse for selected limited-stop stations and the local route when your stop falls between Pulse stations.
Future-line warning: proposed Pulse corridors such as Halsted, 95th Street, Harlem and Cermak are projects—not current operating Pulse lines. Do not plan a trip as though those services already exist.
A schedule is not always a fixed timetable
Pace On Demand: When a Fixed Bus Route Is Not the Best Option
Pace On Demand is a reservation-based service for travel inside designated suburban zones. It can connect riders with conventional Pace routes, Metra stations, shopping areas, schools, jobs and other destinations depending on the zone.
Plan first
Pace’s online Trip Planner and Transit app can display On Demand options together with fixed-route buses and trains.
Reserve the trip
On Demand trips require booking rather than simply waiting at a conventional bus stop.
Standard fare
Pace currently lists $2.00 with Ventra or supported electronic payment and $2.25 with cash for On Demand.
Pace is designed as part of a regional transportation network. Many routes terminate at or pass CTA rail stations, Metra stations and suburban transit centers.
CTA transfers
Route names frequently identify CTA stations such as Rosemont, Midway, Forest Park or 95th/Dan Ryan. Verify the exact bus boarding area after exiting the train.
Metra transfers
Several Pace routes serve Metra stations. Build enough transfer time into the trip when the next train operates infrequently.
O’Hare connections
Pulse Dempster serves O’Hare International Airport’s Multi-Modal Facility rather than every airline terminal door. Follow airport transfer signs from the MMF.
Midway connections
Some Pace routes connect with CTA’s Midway Transit Center, allowing transfer to the Orange Line and airport facilities.
Transit centers
Larger centers can have multiple bays. The correct station does not guarantee the correct boarding bay.
Regional trip planning
Pace’s current planner includes Pace, CTA and Metra fixed-route options across the six-county Chicago region.
Accessible fixed-route service
Pace Accessibility, Wheelchairs, ADA Cards and Bike Racks
Pace states that its fixed-route buses are accessible and include features such as ramps, priority seating and audio/visual stop announcements.
Ramps and kneeling buses
Ask the operator for assistance when boarding with a mobility device or when a lowered boarding height is needed.
Securement area
Priority seating and mobility-device securement space is provided near the front of accessible buses.
Stop announcements
Fixed-route buses provide audio and visual stop information to support riders with vision or hearing disabilities.
Bike racks
Pace says nearly every fixed-route bus has a front bicycle rack. Space is limited, so riders should know an alternative if the rack is full.
ADA-certified riders
Since October 1, 2025, RTA-certified ADA Paratransit riders can ride Pace fixed-route buses free by tapping the eligible ADA Paratransit card.
ADA Paratransit
Certification is required. Pace’s traditional ADA Paratransit fare is currently $3.25 per trip.
Important distinction: an accessible vehicle does not guarantee that every sidewalk, temporary stop or connecting facility is equally easy to use. Check current stop conditions when accessibility is essential.
Do not assume that a Pace route operating Monday through Friday will run on a holiday. Pace publishes holiday service notices identifying routes that operate on Sunday schedules, limited schedules or no service.
Situation
What Can Change
What to Check
Normal weekday
Peak-only trips, school trips and limited services may run
Weekday timetable and footnotes
Saturday
Lower frequency or shorter service span
Saturday column or separate schedule
Sunday
Some routes do not operate at all
Sunday schedule and official route page
Major holiday
Sunday schedule, limited trips or no service
Current Pace holiday service notice
Event service
Special routes may operate only for selected events
Dedicated event-service page
Current example: Pace’s July 4, 2026 notice placed many operating routes on a Sunday schedule while several limited routes operated only as published. Holiday service is therefore route-specific.
View the Pace Regional System Map and Schedule Guide
The documents below remain hosted by Pace. They are embedded here as visual references; use the direct-open button if your browser blocks PDF display.
Pace / CTA / Metra Regional System Map
The current map linked by Pace is the September 2025 RTA regional system map. It shows Pace routes together with CTA rail and bus connections, Metra lines, major regional transfer points and numerous suburban corridors.
Document-date rule: the regional map and schedule-reading guide are reference documents. Your individual route’s latest schedule page and effective-date PDF should control actual trip times.
Pace Bus Schedule Problems and What to Do
The scheduled bus is not showing in Bus Tracker
Check whether the trip is canceled, has not started, is not Bus Tracker-enabled, or is operating under a special service pattern.
The PDF and live prediction disagree
The PDF shows planned service. Use the live prediction and current passenger notice when real-world conditions have changed.
Your stop is not in the timetable
It may be an intermediate stop rather than a numbered timepoint. Locate the stops immediately before and after it on the route map.
There is a blank cell in the schedule
Read the trip footnote. The bus may follow a special pattern and not serve that particular location.
The trip planner shows no result
Certain express and school-only services may not be included. Search the route directory directly.
You are at the correct intersection but no bus stops
Confirm the posted Pace stop, direction and any temporary relocation. Some route patterns may not serve every stop.
You missed a CTA or Metra transfer
Replan the entire trip rather than assuming the next connecting bus or train has the same frequency.
Your Ventra transfer did not apply
Check the transfer window, payment source and whether the second service requires a premium surcharge.
Independent-site disclosure: busschedule.us is an informational website and is not operated by Pace Suburban Bus, CTA, Metra or the Regional Transportation Authority. Always use the operating agency’s current information for a time-sensitive trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pace Bus Schedules
Where can I find the official Pace bus schedule?
Use Pace’s Routes, Schedules and Maps page. Search by route number or route name, open the route page and then use its published timetable or PDF schedule.
How much is a regular Pace bus fare?
Pace currently lists a $2.00 full fare when using a full-fare Ventra card, supported mobile wallet, app or contactless bank card. The regular cash fare is $2.25.
Does Pace give transfers when I pay cash?
No. Pace states that transfers are not available with cash payments. Electronic Ventra-based transfers can be available within the applicable transfer period.
How do I know when my Pace bus will arrive?
Use the official Pace Bus Tracker. Select the route, direction and exact stop to see predicted real-time arrivals or departures.
What is a timepoint on a Pace schedule?
A timepoint is a major stop shown as a numbered location on the route map and timetable. Buses usually serve additional stops between the listed timepoints.
Why is my Pace stop missing from the timetable?
The timetable does not show every stop. Find your boarding location on the route map and use the nearest listed timepoints to estimate when the bus should reach your stop, then confirm with Bus Tracker.
Why is there a blank space in a Pace timetable?
Read the schedule footnote. A special trip may not serve that timepoint or may follow different routing.
Does Pace run on Sundays and holidays?
It depends on the route. Some routes operate Sunday service, some use limited holiday schedules and others do not operate. Check the individual route page and current holiday notice.
What is Pace Pulse?
Pulse is Pace’s limited-stop rapid-transit service with enhanced stations and transit-priority features. Current operating lines are Milwaukee and Dempster.
Does Pace go to O’Hare Airport?
Yes, certain Pace services connect with O’Hare. Pulse Dempster serves the airport’s Multi-Modal Facility. Follow the current official route and airport transfer instructions.
Is Pace On Demand the same as a regular bus?
No. Pace On Demand is reservation-based service inside designated zones. It does not operate like a normal fixed bus route with passengers simply waiting along a single route.
Are Pace buses wheelchair accessible?
Pace states that fixed-route buses are accessible and include ramps, priority seating and audio/visual stop announcements. Stop conditions can still vary by location.
Can ADA Paratransit-certified riders ride regular Pace buses for free?
Yes. Pace says RTA-certified ADA Paratransit riders can ride fixed-route Pace buses free by tapping their eligible ADA Paratransit card. This free-fare program does not apply to every Pace service type.
Who should I contact if I lose something on a Pace bus?
Call Pace Customer Relations at 847-364-7223 and choose option 3. Have your route number, travel date, approximate time and boarding and exit locations ready.
