INDUSTRY IS ON THE MOVE

THE FIRST & LAST MILE COMMUTE

Any company that calls the suburbs home is challenged to find ways to alleviate the commutes of their workers who choose not to drive. Many office buildings aren’t conveniently located to public transit alternatives such as train stations. We call this challenge the first and last mile commute problem.

Luckily for those companies in our region, Choose DuPage has been working to keep people moving. Below is a list of public and private resources that are creating dependable, cost-effective commuting options.

 

Innova EV Dash Cars is an app based electric vehicle ride service providing last mile commute options for commuters and companies.

In 2017, the Burr Ridge-based Innova EV launched a pilot program using electric vehicles to transport employees from the Itasca train station to the office development Hamilton Lakes. This paradigm-shifting program has laid the groundwork for additional pilot programs in an effort to apply our solutions to alternative scenarios.

Since their launch in 2017, Innova EV is successfully running their pilot program on college campuses, cities and neighborhoods around the country.

To learn more and visit their website click here.

Sure Ride is a customized service that provides transportation options between train stations and work. We use 14-passenger transit vans that provide individual seating and high roof profile. Our schedule is customized according to express trains between the hours of 6:30-8:30am & 4:30-6:30pm. 

Metra is a commuter railroad that operates between Chicago and its surrounding suburbs. DuPage County has 29 railway stations on four Metra lines. The Burlington Northern/Santa Fe (BNSF) line, Union Pacific (UP-W) line, Milwaukee District West (MD-W) line and Heritage Corridor (HC) line all service DuPage County.

The stations offer ample parking for commuters, including options to leave their cars overnight in a parking garage or a designated parking lot. Commuters have the option to purchase daily, monthly and annual parking spaces for a fee.

All Metra stations in DuPage County have bike racks where commuters can leave their bikes during their workday or overnight. Bikes and electric scooters, “e-scooters” are permitted on trains for no additional fee to accommodate commuters on their last mile commute.

For more information about Metra, including schedules, parking, and stations click here.

Pace is the suburban bus and transit provider for the Chicago metropolitan region. Pace’s family of public transportation services offers a variety of affordable and environmentally responsible transit options.

Fixed Bus Route Service

Pace’s fixed-route bus service conveniently carries commuters using a set schedule and routing. With approximately 200 fixed routes serving all of DuPage County, Pace provides fast and economical service to employment centers, hospitals, shopping centers and many other attractions. Click here to see a listing of all PACE bus stops.

Pace Vanpool

Pace Vanpool is a workday rideshare arrangement that can help you enjoy a more comfortable commute in DuPage County. The vanpool consists of individuals who live near each other and have similar travel patterns and work hours. Pace Vanpools operate similar to carpools except they include more perks. Pace provides the van and the commuter can ride comfortably and save thousands of dollars a year. To learn more about Pace Vanpool click here.

Pace On Demand

Pace On Demand offers reservation-based, shared-ride service in 11 designated service areas throughout the suburban region. All you have to do is book online or call to reserve your trip at least one hour in advance. On Demand is open to the general public, so anyone can book a trip and ride the service, as long as the trip starts and ends within one of the On Demand zones. Click here for a listing of On Demand zones, or to book a trip.

Ride Illinois is a nonprofit organization making Illinois better through biking. They focus on advocacy, education, and awareness to make riding a bike for recreation and transportation safer and more accessible. To learn more, click on the links below.

Bike Safety Quiz: https://rideillinois.org/safety/bike-safety-quiz/

Drive Less, Bike More Challenge: https://rideillinois.org/events/driveless-bikemore/

Public Safety Campaigns: https://rideillinois.org/advocacy/public-safety-campaigns/

I Can Bike There Campaign: https://www.icanbikethere.org/

Ride DuPage is an innovative transportation program that provides bus or taxi service for people who need travel assistance due to physical or cognitive limitations. Subsidized by a partnership of townships, cities, villages, Pace and DuPage County, Ride DuPage offers curb-to-curb transportation 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at significantly reduced rates.

For more information contact ridedupage@dupageco.org.