Bus route cuts, train fare hikes proposed

GENEVA – Pace bus riders in Kane County soon could see service cuts to four routes because of budget shortfalls next year.

Pace officials have proposed to cut Saturday service for Routes 528 and 529 and both weekday and Saturday operation on Route 535 as part of a number cuts to reduce expenses. These routes generally serve riders in the southern end of Kane County. An extension of Route 747 that brings buses to St. Charles also will be eliminated.

Pace representative Doug Sullivan said route reductions are part of an effort to offset a $6.5 million budget deficit projected for 2010, including about $3.8 million expected to come in service cuts in all areas served by PACE.

"We do plan to make $2.7 million in administrative cuts," Sullivan told the Kane County Board Transportation Committee on Monday.

The Pace budget, including the service eliminations, likely would be approved by its board in November and then forwarded to the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees Pace, Metra and other services.

Kane County transportation officials also are working with an independent consultant to study usage on Pace Route 529 route to improve ridership and determine cost-effectiveness.

In the fall of 2005, Route 529 was extended to provide service from Montgomery, along Randall Road and to the Kane County Judicial Center.

To date, the study has evaluated existing conditions in route service and ridership and has identified deficiency and critical improvements needed, among other things, one county official said. A final report is scheduled to be complete by April 2010.

"This has been a great exercise to look at some of the operational issues," said Tom Rickert, deputy director of Kane County Division of Transportation.

Also discussed at the committee on Monday were proposed fare increases for Metra rides in the regional passenger train service's 2010 proposed budget.

One-way fares are expected to rise an average of 30 cents per trip, according to one Metra representative. The weekend unlimited ride pass likely will jump from $5 to $7 and the fee for on-board purchase of tickets will increase from $2 to $5.

A public hearing on the proposed rate changes is schedule for 4 to 7 p.m. Nov. 5 at the Geneva City Hall.