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The Greater Oak Brook Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Partnership recently hosted a meeting to explore the opportunity for a new Oak Brook employee shuttle service connecting with Metra. The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) is the lead agency for the project, and has contracted with the Transportation Management Association of Lake-Cook (TMA) to provide assistance. The primary goal of the shuttle service would be to provide better commute options to help local employers attract top talent.

The Chamber has worked with the RTA and TMA to identify three service areas that may have the greatest potential for shuttle routes for Oak Brook. These are in the Commerce Drive, Kensington Road/Jorie Boulevard, and Windsor/Swift Drive areas.  These routes would access the Elmhurst Metra Station (Metra’s Union Pacific West Line) or Hinsdale Metra Station (Metra’s BNSF Line).

The RTA is considering funding the substantial majority of the operating costs for the first two years as a pilot program. During the first year of the pilot, property owners may contribute approximately 20% of the costs, or approximately $30,000 per route shared between participating property owners. For the second year property owners may contribute approximately 35% of the costs. The more properties participating, the lower the cost would be per building.

To continue beyond this potential two-year pilot, the route must be viable and working; for example at least 60 daily trips on each route are needed. Property owners would need to increase their financial participation to a minimum of 50% of the operating costs in partnership with Pace and Metra. Service levels and cost structure would need to be negotiated in the second year of the pilot, based on ridership, property owner interest, and transit agency budgets.

If a final plan is developed by the committee, it would take about three to four months to implement service. It is anticipated that service could start in 2017. For more information, please contact Tracy Mulqueen at 708-560-5271 or [email protected].