Pace suburban bus agency has been releasing more details on what the new, faster bus service along Milwaukee Avenue will look like.
As previously reported by Pioneer Press, Pace is currently working on launching an Arterial Rapid Transit bus service along the section of Milwaukee Avenue that runs between Jefferson Park Transit Center and Golf Mill Mall. Officially known as Milwaukee Pulse, the service is part of Pace’s plan to speed up service along some of its busiest corridors.
The new service will have fewer stops, but it will also travel faster thanks to signal priority that would allow it to get around traffic at certain intersections. The buses will feature wi-fi and USB chargers, and bus stops will feature real-time arrival information. And while Route 270, which currently serves the corridor, will continue running, it will run less frequently than before.
Route 270 is currently one of the busiest routes in the entire Pace system. According to the current schedule, it runs between Jefferson Park Transit Center and Golf Mill Mall an average of 10-15 minutes during rush hour, about once every 20 minutes during daytime and about once every 30 minutes in the evenings. An average of one of three buses keeps going past Golf Mill Mall, terminating at Glenbrook Hospital. The route has a stop an average of once every two blocks.
The Milwaukee Pulse would function similarly to Chicago’s J14-Jeffery Jump service. The buses would get signal priority at intersections to allow buses to get around traffic.
Pace’s plans call for Pulse to have a total of 10 stations. In the Niles section of the route, this includes stops at Touhy Avenue, Harlem Avenue, Oakton Street, Main Street, Dempster Street and Golf Mill Mall. Each stop will have slightly raised platforms with wheelchair ramps, new passenger shelters, more prominent signage and displays showing real-time arrival information.
Pace spokesman Patrick Wilmot said that Route 270 will still make trips between Jefferson Park Transit Center and Glenbrook Hospital. However Pulse buses would now handle most of the Transit Center – Golf Mill trips.
“Our plans are to reduce service frequency on Route 270 and operate an increased level of frequency on Pulse service versus the existing Route 270 schedule,” he said. “In fact, the Pulse service will operate with the same or better frequency throughout the day when compared to existing Route 270 service.”
The remaining Route 270 buses would still serve the same stops they do currently.
“Our current plans call for operating local service on Route 270 to complement the express, limited stop service on the Pulse Milwaukee Line,” said Wilmot. “If a customer needs to access a destination that is in between Pulse stops, he or she could either walk the extra distance or transfer at the Pulse station to a 270 bus to complete the trip.”
The Pulse buses will offer free wi-fi – something that is currently only available on Pace Express routes. They will also feature amenities completely unique to Pulse.
“We will offer USB charging ports, so that customers can charge cell phones and other mobile devices in order to ensure they can stay connected and productive while traveling with us,” said Wilmot. “Pulse buses will also be the first in our system to feature digital information signage that can be used to post information about detours, public meetings and hearings and other announcements.”
Pace is currently in the process of conducting environmental and engineering studies. Wilmot told Pioneer Press that it will hold public meetings to get input from residents, businesses and local organizations sometime later this spring.
Under the current timeline, the plans for the Pulse ART would be finalized by the end of the year. The construction will take place throughout 2016, with the service launching in 2017.
The construction costs will be covered through a federal grant, but Pace is covering architecture and engineering aspects of the project. The agency has budgeted $800,000 for this purpose for 2015.
Since the budget was approved, Gov. Bruce Rauner has proposed a budget that would decrease state funding for Pace.
“Because the state’s budget process is in its early stages, it’s unclear at this time how large any cuts may be to our operating budget,” said Wilmot.
He explained that if the cuts do get implemented, they wouldn’t affect the planning process – but they would affect how much money Pace can spend on the regular bus route operations. Because it would be two more years before Pulse service starts, the transit agency would have time to adjust its budget.
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“There will be time to make any adjustments—if needed—to the service plan for Pulse service if funding cuts affect our operating budget before the Pulse service is scheduled to begin in 2017,” said Wilmot.
And if the funding cuts do affect the service, there are factors that would help soften the blow.
“A large portion of the operating costs for the Pulse Milwaukee Line are being transferred from what we currently spend to operate Route 270,” said Wilmot. “As we reduce the frequency of Route 270 service, we will re-allocate those resources into the Pulse service. “
Igor Studenkov is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.