First things first, it's the "L", not the "El" or some other term used by outlanders. The CTA serves Chicago and Evanston with some service in adjacent suburbs. PACE is the suburban bus service and is a consolidation of multiple operators.
The basis of the separation is largely historic. The CTA began operations in 1947 by assuming the operations of Chicago Surface Lines and the Chicago Rapid Transit Co. Chicago Motor Coach Co (The Boulevard Route) was added in 1952. Evanston operations were added in the early 1970's when the Evanston Coach Co. ceased operations. When the RTA was established, it served primarily as a funding agency by subsidizing existing services by existing operators. After a budget crunch in the early 1980's, the RTA was reorganized and Metra (rail) and PACE (suburban bus) were set up as operational entities. Over time, routes were rationalized and a lot of overlap between PACE and CTA routes was eliminated.
Because of fare differences, transfers from CTA are accepted on PACE but not the other way around. Check their websites for particulars.
When I am traveling to Chicago and need to take a bus to or from a El or Metra station I see PACE and CTA buses often on the same lines and same streets. Whos who and how does this work?
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