Door to Door - 100 W Chicago

Elgin Pace Bus Terminal, 100 West Chicago Street

Opened in 1985, the Elgin Bus Terminal serves The Regional Transportation Authority's Pace Suburbans Bus service.

Straddling along the west bank of the Fox River, it was designed with sharp angles and a narrow building.

It contains four bus lanes which send buses all over Elgin and to other suburban points, principally Aurora, Streamwood, Hoffman Estates and Schaumburg/Woodfield.

It is across the street from the Chicago Street Train Station, making for convenient transportation connections.

Althought the address is on Chicago Street, it also fronts Highland Avenue on the other side. With Chicago being one way eastbound and Highland one way westbound, the buses enter and exit from both sides. Most eastside buses exit on Chicago Street, most westside buses on Highland Avenue.

The passing trains on the railroad tracks immediately alongside the terminal can be big hindrance to bus traffic, but the convenience of the terminal directly across the street from the train station create in important transportation center for the city.

Until 2010, it also hosted Greyhound Bus service, which provided the only direct inter-city transportation outside of the Metra commuter rail across the street.

The waiting room inside is deceptively larger than the building would indicate outside. The seating and decor are very spartan, but the windows provide a sweeping view of the river and downtown Elgin. The skylights and high ceiling provide a bright and airy indoor waiting area out of the weather, which cloak the otherwise potentially dingy environment.