SUBURBAN TRANSIT ROUTES

ROUTES 800-804

FOX RIVER VALLEY INTERURBAN

Interurban routes operated by the Pace Fox Valley Division in Aurora, and by the Pace River Division in Elgin. Some of these routes evolved from the Aurora Elgin and Fox River Electric interurban railway line, which had also operated the local streetcar routes in those cities. In 1935, all remaining streetcars and interurban trains were replaced with buses operated by subsidiary Fox Valley Bus Lines. Fox Valley Bus Lines was acquired by National City Lines in 1936.

800 - Richmond-Fox Lake-McHenry - introduced 8/4/80 when commuter rail service was discontinued between McHenry and Richmond, discontinued 7/16/82.

801-802 - Elgin-Geneva-Aurora - was a single bus route which had evolved from the main interurban railway route in the Fox Valley. In Elgin, original segment was South State horse car route, electrified in 1891, and interurban route extended to Geneva in 1896. From Aurora, interurban line was completed north to Batavia in 1906, and to Geneva in 1900. Bus service existed over this corridor by the 1920's. Interurban railway replaced with buses in 1935, sold to National City Lines in 1936, and established as subsidiary Aurora-Elgin Bus Line in 1940. Route sold to Joliet-Aurora Transit Lines in 1968, which ceased operations in 1973. At that time, the Elgin Department of Transportation assumed operation, subsidized by communities along the route. Effective 4/8/91, route split into present two routes, and new route #802 operated by Pace Fox Valley Division. Originally, each split route made a large loop through the Geneva-St. Charles area, mainly via North Ave., Kirk Rd., State St., and Randall Rd. Route #801 operated clockwise, while route #802 operated counterclockwise through the loop. Route changes resulted in the end of the loop operation for route #802 effective 10/24/2005, as part of a major restructuring of Aurora Pace routes, and for route #801 effective 12/12/2011. Between South Elgin and St. Charles, route #801 had operated until that time via State Hwy. 25. Route was then revised to serve the growing area along Randall Rd.

803 - Carpentersville - introduced 6/5/78, originally connecting with local Elgin routes 541 or 543 near the K-Mart on Dundee Rd. Route later changed to serve Spring Hill Mall, which opened in 1980. Route also included a rush hour feeder service to Barrington train station, introduced 6/4/79 and discontinued in 1991. Originally operated under contract by Commuter Bus Systems, operations assumed in 1979 by Elgin Department of Transportation, now Pace River Division.

804 - Montgomery - introduced 5/15/78, operating southwest of Aurora to Montgomery, primarily via Lake. Discontinued 2/25/83. Operated by Aurora Transit System.