By Igor Studenkov | Bugle Staff
The Pace Board of Directors voted unanimously to approve changes to the Niles Free Bus routes.
Both the Niles Village Board and Pace were required to vote on the changes before they could take effect. The village board approved them Dec. 8, while the transit agency’s board of directors approved them during its Jan. 15 meeting.
As previously reported by the Bugle, the plan is largely identical to what was released last summer. In response to residents’ feedback, Pace decided to retain some service to St. Andrew Life Center retirement facility and the Maynard Loop area.
The transit agency and the village are also working on a plan to potentially allow Niles residents to take the Route 270 bus between Touhy Avenue and the Chicago border at no charge. Under the now-approved plan, none of the Free Bus routes would serve the area.
Pace spokesman Patrick Wilmot said the changes would take effect sometime in the spring, adding that the transit agency hasn’t decided on a specific date.
Pace and Niles will work together to release information about the changes long before they are implemented. Wilmot said this effort would include outreach through social media, direct mail, posted passenger notices, local media, and on the official websites for the village of Niles and Pace. Pace is also planning on sending representatives to major stops to inform riders about the changes.
“[There will be] transit ambassadors at key locations to hand out information and also answer questions,” Wilmot added.