Pace I-90 Express
| Company type | Public transit service |
|---|---|
| Industry | Public transportation |
| Founded | December 2016 |
| Headquarters | Rosemont , United States |
Area served | Illinois |
| Products | Express bus transit service |
| Owner | Pace |
Pace I-90 Express Bus Service is a highway express transit route managed by Pace, connecting Rosemont Transportation Center with Elgin. This service travels via the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, taking advantage of "flex lanes" to avoid congestion, thereby improving travel speed and dependability.
History
Efforts to extend the Blue Line beyond O'Hare began in 1998; however, after proposals in 2003, local officials showed preference for Metra's STAR Line. The STAR Line project ultimately did not receive federal funding due to expensive relocations of natural gas pipelines uncovered during the survey phase.
Subsequently, Pace introduced the I-90 Express service under its Vision 2020 plan, which was coordinated with a $2.5 billion Illinois Tollway initiative aimed at reconstructing and expanding the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway from Rockford toward O'Hare Airport. This "Move Illinois" program was largely executed between 2012 and November 2016.
The initial service connecting Rosemont, Schaumburg, and Elgin commenced in December 2016. In September 2017, the Illinois Tollway implemented SmartRoad technology on a segment of the Jane Addams Memorial Tollway, allowing Pace buses to access shoulder lanes during heavy traffic. The IL 25 Station opened in December 2017, followed by the Barrington Road Station in August 2018, marking the project's completion.
Often dubbed a "mini STAR Line," the Pace Express service symbolizes a significant step in regional transit advancement.
Service
The system mainly consists of four routes: 600, 603, 605, and 607. Additionally, Route 606 operates along I-90 between IL 83 (Elmhurst Road) and Rosemont station.
600: Rosemont - Schaumburg Express
Provides nonstop service between Rosemont Transportation Center and Northwest Transportation Center in Schaumburg. Originally operated only during peak hours prior to the launch of the I-90 Express.
603: Elgin Transportation Center - Rosemont Express
Links Rosemont Transportation Center with Elgin Transportation Center, including stops at Barrington Road and IL 25.
605: I-90/Randall Rd. Station - Rosemont Express
Follows the same path as Route 603 up to IL 25 before continuing along I-90 to Randall Road Station.
607: I-90/Randall Rd. Station - Schaumburg Express
Operates between Randall Road and Northwest Transportation Center, making stops at IL 25 and Barrington Road.