Silver Cross in the News
Pace and Silver Cross Hospital Work Jointly on Relocation Project ARLINGTON HEIGHTS—Even before groundbreaking has taken place at the future site of Silver Cross Hospital in New Lenox, Pace and the hospital have developed plans to assist with the transportation-related aspects of the relocation from the east side of Joliet. Using data provided by the hospital to anonymously plot the home addresses of employees, Pace provided a report of available transportation options including fixed-route bus service, vanpools, and carpools via its newly redeveloped Ridesharing program. Pace’s Business Development department worked directly with Silver Cross as part of its mission to assist companies that are relocating or wish to establish new transportation options for an existing location. “One of the greatest concerns of a business that is relocating is its ability to retain employees and clients based on available transportation options,” said Pace Board Chairman Richard Kwasneski. “Pace and Silver Cross have been working together to ensure that this move will be an easy transition for the many people that work there or those who rely on its services.” “Providing better access to quality healthcare for all of our patients is Silver Cross’ number one priority,” said Silver Cross Hospital, CEO and President, Paul Pawlak. “We have been pleased to work with Pace to ensure the replacement hospital will be easily accessible to all of our patients, visitors, staff and the communities we serve.” Silver Cross staff participated in an effort by Pace to restructure and improve bus service in Will County and other south suburban areas. As a result of the hospital’s communication regarding the new site, Pace has made adjustments to its proposed plans for service to New Lenox in order to provide direct service to the medical center when it opens in 2011. “By opening the lines of communication between Silver Cross and Pace early in the process, we were able to incorporate their future plans into ours and come up with a lot of mutually beneficial results,” said Kwasneski. Pace and Silver Cross representatives began working together shortly after the hospital announced its plans to relocate to New Lenox. In addition to performing an origin-destination analysis for employees to determine transit and ridesharing options, Pace staff reviewed the proposed plans for the new hospital’s grounds to offer tips on maximizing transit and pedestrian access. “Pace is often asked to serve destinations that we can’t access because buses were never considered when the site plans were developed,” said Kwasneski. “If the bus can’t get close enough to a main entrance of a facility, like Silver Cross Hospital, transit becomes a less attractive option and the hospital itself is less attractive to people that rely on transit to get there.” Among the options available to employees both now and once the relocation takes place is Pace’s Vanpool Incentive Program, available to groups of 5 or more commuters for a monthly cost that includes the vehicle, fuel, maintenance, tolls, roadside assistance, and insurance. The participant that agrees to serve as the driver does not pay a fare, receives 300 miles of personal van usage and agrees to take a safety course and store the vehicle at their home. “The Vanpool Incentive Program is an excellent option for employees that benefit from greater flexibility or who may work hours outside of the traditional 9-to-5 schedule, as medical professionals often do,” said Kwasneski. “In addition to being able to set their own commuting schedule and routing, vanpool participants can save a significant amount of money versus the costs of driving alone.” 
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