THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | THURSDAY, MARCH 13, 2008
Township Gears Up For New Set of Wheels
By RICHARD MAYER
Journal Reporter
Officials of Wheeling Township and Pace teamed up Monday morning for the dedication of a new passenger bus for the township's transportation program.
The event at the Wheeling Township Community Center in Arlington Heights also marked the first example in the Northwest suburbs of the new vehicle type that will be the "hallmark" of Pace's new Locally Based Service program, which provides moderately-sized accessible vehicles to units of local government for the devel opment of transportation pro grams.
According to Patrick Wilmot, manager of media relations for Pace, the community vehicles are slightly smaller than Pace's suburban paratransit vehicles. They also offer more space than con version vans, but are easier to maneuver and service than larger vehicles.
"These vehicles and our Locally Based Service program give communities the flexibility to set up a transportation pro gram that is the best fit for their needs, whether that means a di als-a-ride program like Wheeling Township or a bus route that circulates residents within their community," said Pace Board Chairman Richard Kwasneski.
The vehicles, built by American Crusader, were pur chased using a federal grant, negating the need to use local money for their purchase.