MRChiCity Posted March 23, 2014 Report Share Posted March 23, 2014 Good evening, I would like to know how for Wilmette's annual July 4th fireworks the PACE shuttle service is subsidized. It is run by the North shore division using buses bassed at the Evanston garage. A link can be found here file:///C:/Users/Max/Documents/13_Wilmette_Fireworks_Shuttle.pdf Is this a holdover from the Wil-bus era? Is Wilmette the only town that has subsidized PACE service to the fireworks show or do other towns have slimier arrangements? Thank you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted March 23, 2014 Report Share Posted March 23, 2014 Good evening, I would like to know how for Wilmette's annual July 4th fireworks the PACE shuttle service is subsidized. It is run by the North shore division using buses bassed at the Evanston garage. A link can be found here file:///C:/Users/Max/Documents/13_Wilmette_Fireworks_Shuttle.pdf Is this a holdover from the Wil-bus era? Is Wilmette the only town that has subsidized PACE service to the fireworks show or do other towns have slimier arrangements? Thank you Probably the village. Highland Park Ravinia service is free to the passengers, but the Pace budget lists it as a revenue service, so Highland Park pays "the fares." In effect, Highland Park, the Niles Free Bus and Schaumburg trolleys are no different, but the Pace budget indicates that they recover the recovery ratio, so Pace is paying 64%. The difference is that only Highland Park charges fares (routes 471 and 472). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRChiCity Posted March 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2014 Probably the village. Highland Park Ravinia service is free to the passengers, but the Pace budget lists it as a revenue service, so Highland Park pays "the fares." In effect, Highland Park, the Niles Free Bus and Schaumburg trolleys are no different, but the Pace budget indicates that they recover the recovery ratio, so Pace is paying 64%. The difference is that only Highland Park charges fares (routes 471 and 472). The main difference is that for the Wilmette fireworks shuttle a fare is charged going to the park and the return trip is free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted March 23, 2014 Report Share Posted March 23, 2014 The main difference is that for the Wilmette fireworks shuttle a fare is charged going to the park and the return trip is free. Then Wilmette is recouping something. "Free" return rides ended out of Pace's pocket book when the special events buses went from a $7 ticket to $4 payable each time you board (apparently to meet FTA charter requirements). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRChiCity Posted March 23, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2014 Then Wilmette is recouping something. "Free" return rides ended out of Pace's pocket book when the special events buses went from a $7 ticket to $4 payable each time you board (apparently to meet FTA charter requirements). According to the document I attached which is for last years fireworks show, "There will be a $3.50 fare on the way to the park only: a ticket will be issued for the return trip." It is possible that the fair for the east bound trip might increase for this years show to meet the FTA requirement mentioned above. Keep in mind that PACE's north shore division has run this service even when July 3rd falls on a Sunday when the division is normally closed,so the village is more then likely subsidizing it. One interesting thing to note when the Wilmette school district ran it's own buses, PACE north shore would hire the Wilmette school bus drivers to drive the buses for the fireworks service. Why this was done is anyone's guess. Here is a picture for your enjoyment of a fireworks shuttle from the 2012 show http://www.flickriver.com/photos/zol87/7519485850/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted March 23, 2014 Report Share Posted March 23, 2014 According to the document I attached which is for last years fireworks show, "There will be a $3.50 fare on the way to the park only: a ticket will be issued for the return trip."... Since normal Pace fare is $1.75, apparently someone was collecting both at once. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ctrabs74 Posted March 24, 2014 Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Since normal Pace fare is $1.75, apparently someone was collecting both at once. Based on what your saying, it sounds like Pace is collecting a round-trip fare heading to the fireworks in order to facilitate boarding for the return trip. I've obviously never been to the Wilmette fireworks show, but that's not a bad fare collection strategy in order to get crowds onto the buses in a more efficient manner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRChiCity Posted March 24, 2014 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2014 Based on what your saying, it sounds like Pace is collecting a round-trip fare heading to the fireworks in order to facilitate boarding for the return trip. I've obviously never been to the Wilmette fireworks show, but that's not a bad fare collection strategy in order to get crowds onto the buses in a more efficient manner. You should go it's a nice show but it draws a healthy crowd. If you are interested in attending please let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRChiCity Posted May 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted May 4, 2014 I have always wondered this, when PACE north shore would hire Wilmette school bus drivers to drive the fireworks buses, how would they accomplish this with out getting the union angry at them? Also just how do PACE/Village of Wilmette circumvent the FTA charter rule as the fireworks bus has no route number? Any info would be appreciated thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRChiCity Posted June 14, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 14, 2014 Here is the info for 2014 http://www.wilmettepark.org/sites/default/files/July%203rd%20Handicap%20Parking%20and%20Drop%20Off%20%26%20PACE%202014.pdf note the typo PACE north instead of northshore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zol87 Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 Here is a scan of an old ticket I kept from one year when I took the bus down to Gillson Park from Edens Plaza but went out with some friends after the fireworks. The top is the front side and the bottom is the rear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRChiCity Posted June 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 Cool what year was this? And do you get the ticket from the driver? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zol87 Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 Cool what year was this? And do you get the ticket from the driver? I forget what year. It was sometime between 2010-2012. The driver gives you the ticket after you pay the fare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRChiCity Posted June 25, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 (edited) Nice I remember taking the fireworks bus awhile ago and by the time the bus got to my stop at 15th and Lake the first two or three would be full that they would pass you up. When you took it, how crowded did they get? Zol I gues that is you who posted that photo on Flickr of the fireworks bus. Looks nice even though it's not the orion's I remember taking to and from the fireworks. Edited June 25, 2014 by MRChiCity Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zol87 Posted June 25, 2014 Report Share Posted June 25, 2014 Nice I remember taking the fireworks bus awhile ago and by the time the bus got to my stop at 15th and Lake the first two or three would be full that they would pass you up. When you took it, how crowded did they get? Zol I gues that is you who posted that photo on Flickr of the fireworks bus. Looks nice even though it's not the orion's I remember taking to and from the fireworks. Most people got on the bus in West Wilmette at Edens Plaza. I remember it also stopped at major streets like Locust, Illinois, Ridge and the Metra Station (Green Bay) and then express to the park. Yes I did take take that picture a few years ago at the 2012 event. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRChiCity Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Neat what would the Pull-out/Pull-in Routes for the Wilmette Fireworks bus be to/from PACE North Shore Garage? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted June 30, 2014 Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Neat what would the Pull-out/Pull-in Routes for the Wilmette Fireworks bus be to/from PACE North Shore Garage? Most likely via McCormick; maybe Oakton and Skokie Blvd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRChiCity Posted June 30, 2014 Author Report Share Posted June 30, 2014 Most likely via McCormick; maybe Oakton and Skokie Blvd. That would make sense as the route starts at Edens Plaza. After the fireworks if on the "yellow route" to Lake/Ridge they might pull-in VIA Ridge/Gross Point to Skokie then to Oakton? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRChiCity Posted July 4, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 4, 2014 Welll that's a rap, Just now they made the announcement that all Wilmette fireworks bus operators can start returning to the garage. See you in 2015 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRChiCity Posted July 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Well looks like PACE had a fluke in this years performance http://wilmette.suntimes.com/2014/07/08/newcomers-old-friends-alike-relish-holiday-fun-gillson/ due to a larger then expected crowd. While PACE normally does a good job of running ther service for next year they might need more buses, maybe barrow some from PACE Northwest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Well looks like PACE had a fluke in this years performance http://wilmette.suntimes.com/2014/07/08/newcomers-old-friends-alike-relish-holiday-fun-gillson/ due to a larger then expected crowd. While PACE normally does a good job of running ther service for next year they might need more buses, maybe barrow some from PACE Northwest? In that the article says 40 buses were assigned, the capacity at NS is about 50, so I guess they would have to. On the other hand, since everyone was leaving at the same time, some waiting was undoubtedly necessary. It would be different if people were complaining that they couldn't get to the park. In that it was July 3 instead of July 4, undoubtedly some NS buses were still out on regular routes, such as 213 and 215. The usual 7 buses were also locked up at the Lake Cook Metra station. I thought it was unusual that all were EZ Riders, but maybe this explains why. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRChiCity Posted July 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 In that the article says 40 buses were assigned, the capacity at NS is about 50, so I guess they would have to. On the other hand, since everyone was leaving at the same time, some waiting was undoubtedly necessary. It would be different if people were complaining that they couldn't get to the park. In that it was July 3 instead of July 4, undoubtedly some NS buses were still out on regular routes, such as 213 and 215. The usual 7 buses were also locked up at the Lake Cook Metra station. I thought it was unusual that all were EZ Riders, but maybe this explains why. What do you mean EZ riders? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 What do you mean EZ riders? This (page 5),* i.e. 2600s. *Slide show apparently only works in IE and Chrome, not Firefox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MRChiCity Posted July 8, 2014 Author Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 This (pages 5-6), i.e. 2600s. Ahh thanks I just hope PACE will continue to operate the service, besides just how committed were they? PACE Northshore ran it when July 3rd fell on Sunday when they are normally closed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Busjack Posted July 8, 2014 Report Share Posted July 8, 2014 Ahh thanks I just hope PACE will continue to operate the service, besides just how committed were they? PACE Northshore ran it when July 3rd fell on Sunday when they are normally closed. If the demand was what the article says, and they got full fare, they must have made a bundle. Compare that to the usual Wilmette routes, which make nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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