Wheaton to Help Fund Commuter Bus Route

The City of Wheaton will allocate $7,500 to help fund a commuter bus route to the College of DuPage.

City officials voted 6-1 to direct city staff to prepare an amendment to the budget to allocate funds to support Pace Bus Route 714 through May 1. Pace, the suburban bus service of the Regional Transportation Authority, will then assume full responsibility for the route's funding. In addition to Wheaton, the City of Naperville, the College of DuPage and DuPage County are expected to each allocate $7,500 for a total of $30,000 to support the route until spring. 

Wheaton Councilman John Rutledge, who voted against the amendment, said Monday funding the regional bus route was not the city’s responsibility. Rutledge said the city was never given any information from the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference (DMMC), which presides over the route, regarding the number of riders from Wheaton and the cost per rider. According to the Pace website, a regular fare is $1.75 for adults, with a $.25 transfer fare.

“This is the responsibility of the Regional Transportation Authority, not the city of Wheaton,” he said.

A memo from Mark Baloga of the DMMC indicated the route carried 500 riders on the first day of classes in 2011.

Pace Route 714 began in 2006 to provide transportation from Naperville and Wheaton to the College of DuPage. In its first year the route was funded through a state grant and contributions from the City of Naperville and DuPage County. In 2007 and 2008 the City of Wheaton contributed to operations, spending $48,000 in 2007 and $36,000 in 2008. In 2009 and 2010 the city did not provide any funding. 

In 2008 Pace was expected to pick up the local share of funding, but due to budget constraints was unable to cover the full share. Pace’s full funding commitment of the route is expected to begin in May of this year. The $30,000 allocation from the government entities is expected to keep the route in service until Pace’s funding commitment begins.

City Manager Don Rose said the other government entities have not approved their share of the funding, and Wheaton would only be responsible for $7,500.

Prior to casting his supporting vote, Councilman Tom Mouhelis said the bus route runs through his district and he knows many of his constituents utilize the service.

Also in support of the funding, Councilman Todd Scalzo said Wheaton’s commitment this year is less than in 2007 and 2008 and serves many city residents.