Pace Pulse#Milwaukee Line
{{Short description|Bus rapid transit system in Chicago}}
{{Infobox bus line
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| number = Pace Pulse
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| image = Pulse Dempster bus in Evanston (March 2024).jpg
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| caption = Pulse Dempster bus at Davis CTA/Metra bus station in Evanston.
| system = Pace bus system
| operator = Pace
| garage = Northwest
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| open = {{Start date|2019|08|11}}
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| routetype = Express bus service
Bus rapid transit{{efn|name=BRT|Although Pace promotes its Pulse service as a "rapid transit service," it is missing several key features that a typical BRT system would have, such as dedicated bus lanes. See BRT Standard.}}
| locale = Chicago metropolitan area
| communities = {{plainlist|1=
- Milwaukee: Chicago (Jefferson Park, Norwood Park), Niles
- Dempster: Chicago (O'Hare), Rosemont, Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Niles, Morton Grove, Skokie, Evanston
}}
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- Milwaukee: Jefferson Park
- Dempster: O'Hare (Multi-Modal Facility)
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| length =
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- Milwaukee: 10
- Dempster: 17
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| map = {{Pace Pulse|inline=y}}
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Pulse is an express bus service and a purported bus rapid transit{{efn|name=BRT}} system operated by Pace, a bus and paratransit agency in the Chicago metropolitan area. Pulse lines incorporate some aspects of a bus rapid transit line like transit signal priority, but not others, including no bus lanes.{{cite news |last1=Freund |first1=Sara |title=New Pace Pulse buses will run express by coordinating a wave of green lights |url=https://chicago.curbed.com/2019/8/5/20754800/pace-bus-express-rapid-transit |access-date=21 October 2023 |work=Curbed Chicago |date=5 August 2019 |language=en}} For this reason, Pulse is not true BRT, and can be accurately described as BRT creep. There are currently two Pulse lines: the Pulse Milwaukee Line and the Pulse Dempster Line.
History
A system of express bus services operated by Pace was proposed as far back as 2014. One line was to run along Milwaukee Avenue from the Jefferson Park Transit Center, serving the Blue Line and the Union Pacific Northwest Line, to the Golf Mill Shopping Center.{{cite news |last1=Zoline |first1=Jeff |title=Pace Pulse Express Bus Service Will Help Improve Traffic Circulation |url=https://chi.streetsblog.org/2015/08/27/pace-pulse-express-bus-service-will-help-improve-traffic-circulation |access-date=21 October 2023 |work=Streetsblog Chicago |date=27 August 2015 |language=en}} Despite delays, the Pulse Milwaukee Line opened on August 11, 2019.{{cite news |last1=Greenfield |first1=John |title=Pace's Pulse Service, Launching Sunday, Isn't BRT But It Will Be an Upgrade |url=https://chi.streetsblog.org/2019/08/06/paces-pulse-service-launching-sunday-isnt-brt-but-it-will-be-an-upgrade |access-date=21 October 2023 |work=Streetsblog Chicago |date=6 August 2019 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Robb |first1=Tom |title=Pace Provides Sneak Peek Of Pulse Line Before Aug. 11 Roll Out |url=https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/pace-provides-sneak-peek-of-pulse-line-before-aug-11-roll-out/ |access-date=21 October 2023 |work=Journal & Topics |date=31 July 2019}}{{cite news |last1=Robb |first1=Tom |title=Pace To Launch Milwaukee Pulse Service Aug. 11 |url=https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/pace-to-launch-milwaukee-pulse-service-aug-11/ |access-date=21 October 2023 |work=Journal & Topics |date=26 June 2019}}
Another express bus service was planned to run from O'Hare Airport to Evanston mostly via Dempster Street. The Dempster Line opened on August 13, 2023, at a cost of $10 million; however, buses only ran on Sundays.{{cite news |last1=Neveau |first1=James |title=Pace to unveil second 'Pulse' line, providing rapid bus service between Evanston, O'Hare |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/pace-to-unveil-second-pulse-line-providing-rapid-bus-service-between-evanston-ohare/3203769/ |access-date=21 October 2023 |work=NBC Chicago |date=9 August 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Rockrohr |first1=Phil |title=Getting from O'Hare to Evanston speeds up as Pace develops Pulse express bus on Dempster |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/park-ridge/ct-prh-pace-pulse-dempster-tl-0824-20230821-ismekm5novfwhgc6ji4hfbdnle-story.html |access-date=1 November 2023 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=21 August 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Studenkov |first1=Igor |title=Taking the Pulse of Pace's new Evanston-to-O'Hare Dempster "Arterial Rapid Transit" bus |url=https://chi.streetsblog.org/2023/08/14/taking-the-pulse-of-paces-new-evanston-to-ohare-dempster-arterial-rapid-transit-bus |access-date=21 October 2023 |work=Streetsblog Chicago |date=14 August 2023 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Saavedra |first1=Marie |title=Pace purple Pulse express Sunday change traffic lights |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/pace-purple-pulse-express-sunday/ |access-date=21 October 2023 |work=CBS News |date=11 August 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Pyke |first1=Marni |title=Pace launching rapid bus service between O'Hare and Evanston |url=https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20230809/pace-launching-rapid-bus-service-between-ohare-and-evanston |access-date=21 October 2023 |work=Daily Herald |date=9 August 2023}}{{cite news |title=Pace reveals completed bus station along Pulse Dempster Line |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/technology/facilities/shelters-stations-fixtures-parking-lighting/press-release/53068794/pace-suburban-bus-pace-reveals-completed-bus-station-along-pulse-dempster-line |access-date=21 October 2023 |work=Mass Transit Magazine |date=10 August 2023}} Services on the Dempster Line began running daily on October 29, 2023.{{cite news |title=Pace's Pulse Dempster Line to Begin Daily Service |url=https://www.metro-magazine.com/10209040/paces-pulse-dempster-line-to-begin-daily-service |access-date=1 November 2023 |work=Metro Magazine}}{{cite news |last1=Graves |first1=Shun |title=Facing multiple headwinds, Pace preps for full debut of rapid bus Facing multiple headwinds, Pace preps for full debut of rapid bus |url=https://dailynorthwestern.com/2023/10/25/lateststories/facing-multiple-headwinds-pace-preps-for-full-debut-of-rapid-bus/ |access-date=10 November 2023 |work=The Daily Northwestern |date=26 October 2023}}{{cite news |title=Pace Reports Its Pulse Dempster Line To Begin Daily Service |url=https://buslinemag.com/news-headlines/pace-reports-its-pulse-dempster-line-to-begin-daily-service/ |access-date=10 November 2023 |work=Busline News |date=27 October 2023}}{{cite web |title=Pulse - Dempster Line Route {{!}} Pace Suburban Bus |url=https://www.pacebus.com/route/pulse-dempster-line |website=www.pacebus.com |language=en |date=29 October 2023}}
Services
=Milwaukee Line=
{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-width=250|frame-height=200|from=Pulse Milwaukee Line.map|text=Milwaukee Line highlighted in purple}}
The Milwaukee Line (internally designated as route 100) entirely runs along Pace bus route 270 from the Jefferson Park Transit Center to the Golf Mill Shopping Center. The line primarily travels along Milwaukee Avenue.{{cite news |title=Pace's Pulse Service Aims To Change Public Transit |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/pace-bus-service-pulse-milwaukee-avenue-golf-mill-jefferson-park/ |access-date=1 November 2023 |work=CBS News |date=15 July 2019}}
==Stations==
The entire route is in Cook County, Illinois.
| class="wikitable"
!Location !Connections and notes{{efn|name=local route|The notes column does not include the Pulse line's parallel, local service except in terminal stations. Parallel, local service is highlighted in bold.}}{{cite web |title=RTA System Map |url=https://www.rtachicago.org/uploads/files/general/RTA-System-Map.pdf |website=Regional Transportation Authority |access-date=10 November 2023}} |
| rowspan=4|Chicago
|{{rint|chicago|l}} Chicago "L": {{rcb|CTA|Blue|inline=square}} |
| Central
|{{rint|bus|1}} CTA bus: 68, 85, 85A |
| Austin
| |
| Devon
|{{rint|bus|1}} CTA bus: 86 |
| Niles
|Touhy |{{rint|bus}} Pace: 290, 411 |
| Chicago–Niles
|Harlem |{{rint|bus}} Pace: 410, 411, 423 |
| rowspan=4|Niles
|Oakton |{{rint|bus}} Pace: 226, 410, 411 |
| Main
|{{rint|bus}} Pace: 410 |
| Dempster
|{{rint|bus|brt}} Pace Pulse: Dempster Line |
| Golf Mill
|{{rint|bus}} Pace: 208, 240, 241, 270, 272, 410, 411, 412 |
=Dempster Line=
{{maplink|frame=yes|frame-width=250|frame-height=200|from=Pulse Dempster Line.map|text=Dempster Line highlighted in purple}}
The Dempster Line (internally designated as 101) entirely runs along Pace bus route 250 from O'Hare Multi-Modal Facility, which directly connects to O'Hare International Airport via the Airport Transit System, to a station hub on Davis Street in Evanston. The majority of the line travels along Dempster Street.{{cite news |last1=Robb |first1=Tom |title=Dempster Pulse Line Ribbon Cutting In Des Plaines Wednesday - Journal & Topics Media Group |url=https://www.journal-topics.com/articles/dempster-pulse-line-ribbon-cutting-in-des-plaines-wednesday/ |access-date=1 November 2023 |work=Journal & Topics |date=8 August 2023}}
==Stations==
The entire route is in Cook County, Illinois.
| class="wikitable"
!Location |
| Chicago
|O'Hare |{{rint|mono|link=People mover}} {{rint|chicago|ats}} to {{rint|air|link=O'Hare International Airport}} O'Hare Airport |
| Rosemont–Des Plaines
|Higgins |{{rint|bus}} Pace: 223W, 223E |
| rowspan=3|Des Plaines
|Lee/Touhy |{{rint|bus}} Pace: 221 |
| Oakton
|{{rint|bus}} Pace: 226 |
| Des Plaines Metra
|{{rint|chicago|metra}} Metra: {{rcb|Metra|UPNW|inline=square}} |
| Des Plaines–Park Ridge
|Dee | |
| Park Ridge–Niles
|Western | |
| rowspan=2|Niles
|Cumberland | |
| Milwaukee
|{{rint|bus|brt}} Pace Pulse: Milwaukee Line |
| Niles–Morton Grove
|Harlem |{{rint|bus}} Pace: 410, 423 |
| rowspan=2|Morton Grove
|Waukegan |{{rint|bus}} Pace: 210 |
| Austin
| |
| rowspan=3|Skokie
|Dempster–Skokie CTA |{{rint|chicago|l}} Chicago "L": {{rcb|CTA|Yellow|inline=square}} |
| Crawford
|{{rint|bus}} Pace: 215 |
| St. Louis
| |
| rowspan=2|Evanston
|Dodge |{{rint|bus|1}} CTA bus: 93, 206 |
| Davis CTA/Metra
|{{rint|chicago|l}} Chicago "L": {{rcb|CTA|Purple|inline=square}} {{small|({{cta|Davis}})}} |
Future
Pace is planning to add two more Pulse lines, both of which will be located in the South Side of Chicago and the south suburbs. One line will mostly run along 95th Street from the Moraine Valley Community College to the Red Line's 95th/Dan Ryan station;{{cite web |title=Pulse 95th Street Line {{!}} Pace Suburban Bus |url=https://www.pacebus.com/project/pulse-95th-street-line |website=www.pacebus.com |language=en |date=25 October 2023}} another will mostly run along Halsted Street from Harvey station on the Metra Electric District line to the same Red Line station that the 95th Street Line will end.{{cite web |title=Pulse Halsted Line {{!}} Pace Suburban Bus |url=https://www.pacebus.com/project/pulse-halsted-line |website=www.pacebus.com |access-date=1 November 2023 |language=en |date=3 October 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Neveau |first1=James |title=Pace to unveil second 'Pulse' line, providing rapid bus service between Evanston, O'Hare |url=https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/pace-to-unveil-second-pulse-line-providing-rapid-bus-service-between-evanston-ohare/3203769/ |access-date=1 November 2023 |work=NBC Chicago |date=9 August 2023 |quote=Halsted and 95th Street are also scheduled to get Pulse routes in future years, but officials are seeking funding for those projects.}}{{cite news |last1=Wanek-Libman |first1=Mischa |title=Cook County awards $1.6 million to four transit projects |url=https://www.masstransitmag.com/management/article/21233353/cook-county-awards-16-million-to-four-transit-projects |access-date=1 November 2023 |work=Mass Transit Magazine |date=6 August 2021}}{{cite news |last1=Studenkov |first1=Igor |title=Unfortunately, most bus lanes have been removed from Pace South Halsted Pulse plan - Streetsblog Chicago |url=https://chi.streetsblog.org/2022/05/26/pulse-halsted-service-to-no-longer-include-bus-lanes |access-date=1 November 2023 |work=Streetsblog Chicago |date=26 May 2022 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Saavedra |first1=Marie |title=Pace purple Pulse express Sunday change traffic lights - CBS Chicago |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/pace-purple-pulse-express-sunday/ |access-date=1 November 2023 |work=CBS News |date=11 August 2023 |quote=Another Pulse route in the works could run from Harvey to 95th Street.}}{{cite web |title=Duckworth, Durbin Announce $45 Million to Help Ensure Chicagoland's Public Transit Works for Everyone {{!}} U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth of Illinois |url=https://www.duckworth.senate.gov/news/press-releases/duckworth-durbin-announce-45-million-to-help-ensure-chicagolands-public-transit-works-for-everyone |website=www.duckworth.senate.gov |language=en}}
Notes
{{notelist}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{ccat-inline}}
- [https://www.pacebus.com/pulse Official webpage for Pace Pulse]
{{Illinois public transit}}
{{USBRT}}
Category:2019 establishments in Illinois
Category:Bus rapid transit in Illinois
Category:Regional Transportation Authority (Illinois)