Provide funding for the replacement of vehicles and various equipment that are beyond their useful life

The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) awarded Pace, The Suburban Bus Division of the Regional Transportation Authority, $2,054,866.00 under the Buses and Bus Facilities Formula, Competitive, and Low or No Emissions Programs (CFDA 20.526) on August 20, 2025. This formula grant funds the procurement of transit vehicles and infrastructure improvements serving 284 municipalities across Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry counties in Illinois. The award obligates funding for the purchase of 13 over-the-road coach buses, 8 hybrid buses, and 18 paratransit vehicles, as well as Phase I electrification and expansion of Pace's Southwest Division Garage facility.

These capital investments are designed to replace aging vehicles and equipment that have exceeded their useful lives, thereby reducing maintenance costs and improving service reliability for transit riders and residents. The electrification infrastructure improvements will support Pace's transition from diesel-powered to electric bus operations while renovating facilities that are past their functional capacity. The project completion date is May 30, 2030. No sub-recipient activities are associated with this award.

Purpose

The purpose of this grant is to provide funding for the replacement of vehicles and various equipment that are beyond their useful life. This funding will also be used to renovate and expand existing pace structures that are beyond their useful life.

Activities

The funding with this grant will purchase 13 OTR coach buses purchase 8 hybrid buses 18 paratransit vehicles and provide funding for the phase I electrification/expansion of paces southwest division garage.

Expected outcomes

Replacing vehicles and equipment that have exceeded their useful life will reduce maintenance costs improve reliability and provide a better experience for riders and residents. The electrification and expansion of the southwest division garage will allow pace to operate electric buses that will replace diesel propulsion vehicles and provide renovations to a garage that is past its useful life.

Intended beneficiaries

Replacing vehicles/equipment past its useful life and the renovation of various pace facilities will assist in providing affordable and environmentally responsible transit options for the riders and residents of 284 municipalities in cook will dupage kane lake and mchenry counties.