Chicago, IL
Client: Democratic National Convention Committee (DNCC)
Project Overview
In advance of the 2024 Democratic National Convention, key members of Vectour’s current leadership team were engaged by the DNCC to assist with the planning and operational integration of a hybrid bus transportation system that combined public transit (CTA) and private motorcoach operators. The system supported the safe and secure movement of delegates, credentialed personnel, and VIPs across Chicago during this National Special Security Event (NSSE).
Vectour worked directly with the DNCC, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), and the City of Chicago to build a transportation system capable of supporting peak-demand political convention crowds while operating under tight security perimeters and federal oversight. Some of the key planning and operational services provided included:
- Coordinated daily with DNCC, CTA, and City of Chicago officials to integrate two separate fleets: 150+ CTA buses and 100+ private charter buses.
- Supported route design, load zone placement, and trip scheduling for both transit and private vehicles across multiple secure zones.
- Helped implement a unified communication system, where all buses—regardless of agency or company—were equipped with a centralized radio system provided by the DNCC.
- Co-located Vectour’s leadership and dispatch leads within the City of Chicago’s Command Center, ensuring integrated communication and a shared GPS tracking system for all vehicles.
- Designed and operated a United States Secret Service secured marshalling yard that stored, and maintained 250 buses, for seven consecutive days:
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- CTA buses returned to agency garages for fueling then immediately returned to the marshalling yard to overnight
- Private buses were serviced by fuel trucks and mechanics within the secured perimeter.
Specialized Operational Role:
Additionally, Vectour was responsible for managing the VIP motorpool operation, which included vehicle assignments, driver deployment, dispatching, and coordination with security and event access teams.
Results:
Successfully managed over 250 buses across multiple secure service zones without operational disruption.
- Enabled two distinct systems—public and private—to function seamlessly under a unified command structure.
- Helped resolve federal security concerns by developing co-located refueling/maintenance strategies approved by the United States Secret Service.
- Maintained on-time performance, safe passenger operations, and close coordination with all government partners throughout the event.
Relevance to Sound Transit:
This project directly mirrors the challenges Sound Transit may face during the 2026 World Cup, including:
- Coordinating public transit and private coach operations
- Managing secure perimeters and multi-agency communication systems
- Supporting ADA compliance and crowd flow within constrained urban zones
- Operating under high-security, time-sensitive event conditions
