P.A.T.S.E. Bus Service

Service Area

The bus will remain within Palos Township boundaries. All destinations must be within these boundaries.

General Boundaries

• North: 87th Street
• South: 111th Street
• East: Harlem Avenue
• West: Ridgeland Avenue

Areas Not Serviced

• Little Company of Mary Hospital
• Christ Hospital
• Crestwood Dialysis Center
• Medical Centers in the Orland area, etc.

Please call for more details. 

Service Hours

The P.A.T.S.E. bus operates between the hours of 8:30 am to 2 pm, Monday through Friday, expected for posted holidays. Last scheduled pick-up is 1:45 pm. Riders not on the bus by 1:30 pm will have to find alternate means of transportation. 

Reservations

Call the dispatcher at 708-430-3822. Phone line hours are 8 am to noon.

• Reservations are first-come, first-served; medical appointments have priority.
• Please call at least one day before the scheduled pickup.
• After-hours calls go to voicemail.

Pick-up Time

Do not call for pickup times. The dispatcher will call you the day before.

Cancellations / Alternate Rides

Cancel unneeded rides as soon as possible. If you are not home at pickup time, the ride is canceled and you must arrange alternate transportation.

Scheduled Appointments

• Make medical appointments as early as possible.
• Last pickup from any destination is 1:30 pm.

Group Outings

For those living in nursing homes, assisted living, or retirement centers, the PATSE bus service will schedule group outings with the site Activity Director. Centers are allowed up to 2 group outings per month, scheduling permitting. Aides from the facility must accompany the group and assist with boarding, etc.

The P.A.T.S.E. bus can't provide individual outing appointments. 

Limited Disability

Transportation is available for those under 60 who are temporarily disabled due to surgery, loss of vision, etc. Documentation must be updated as needed.

P.A.T.S.E. Bus provides service to older persons with severe disabilities and older persons with Alzheimer's disease. An aide or caregiver must accompany the rider. 

Bus Procedures

• Safety is a priority. We will not rush. 
• Medical rides have priority.
• All rides must be scheduled by noon the day before.
• Please be ready when the bus arrives. The driver has many trips to complete daily and delays are difficult to make up. 
• The service is not intended to provide trips to places of employment. 
• All riders/aides must be 18 years of age or order.
• Due to schedule variation, we do not guarantee pick up or destination times. 
• Carry-on items must be secured between seats and not in the aisle. 
• Drivers may not escort you into or out of your home or destination. Drivers are not allowed to leave the bus unattended. Drivers are not allowed to enter your home at any time. 
• Be aware that the vehicles do require maintenance and repairs. Breakdowns may occur even though the schedule has been made. When this occurs, we will operate with one bus. Medical appointments will be a priority. 

Bad Weather

• Allow additional time in inclement weather or road construction. The bus may be canceled due to weather. Riders will be called. 
• Drivers are not permitted to shovel snow. 
• If you see on the radio/TV that School District 117 is closed due to weather, the PATSE bus will be closed. 

Wheelchair Users

• If you are in a wheelchair or need special assistance you must have someone ride with you. The driver is not allowed to leave the bus unattended. 
• Non-motorized wheelchair riders must be accompanied by an aide over 18 years of age. 
• Wheelchairs may not be used as a walker or as a shopping cart. Riders requiring a wheelchair must be seated in the wheelchair and require an aide. 

Groceries

• Limit of two groceries per person. 
• You must be able to carry your groceries up to your condo/apartment. 

Suggested Donation

$2 one way or $4 round trip within Palos Township. Please have exact fare (driver carries no cash). 

If for some reason you are unable to contribute the above fare, please inform the dispatcher. No one is refused rides due to his/her inability to contribute. 

Funding

Funding for the P.A.T.S.E. bus in part provided by Age Options and PACE bus. 

The bus is not equipped for medical emergencies. If you must go to a hospital for other than routine treatment, please call 911 or have family/friends take you. 

Anyone with an appointment who will be sedated or under general anesthesia will have to find another form of transportation. 

For medical tests requiring fasting, please carry crackers or a light snack if you have been fasting. You may need to wait to be picked up from your appointment. 

• New Year's Day
• Good Friday
• Memorial Day
• Thanksgiving
• Christmas Eve
• New Year's Eve
• Martin Luther King Day
• Independence Day
• Labor Day
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Christmas Day