By Patrick Baron

BLOOMINGTON – Connect Transit is still months behind in the funding it normally receives from the state, with the total being approximately $5 million.

The company had previously explained that if money from the state didn’t come in by the end of the year, the transportation company would have to lay off employees and cut some routes. Despite these hurdles set before the company, Connect Transit General Manager Andrew Johnson is holding on to hope that the state will provide the money the company needs to remain active. Speaking at the Bloomington City Council meeting on Monday, Johnson expressed faith in the state, but warns residents not to hold their breath.

“I think we will see the state move some money to the public transportation fund next month,” said Johnson. “No guarantees though.”

Approximately 65 percent of the funding for the bus company comes from the state, and due to the budget impasse that has been ongoing for more than a year, Johnson suggested that, in the future, the company should draft a contingency plan for such instances.

“In the future, I think we definitely need to look at potential contingencies and see what we can do,” said Johnson. “Because these problems, especially with the state – everyone knows there’s almost $10 million in the backlog – these problems aren’t going away anytime soon.”

With the Dec. 31 deadline arriving fast, the state will need to provide Connect Transit with the funding it needs, or the transportation company could be forced to stop service.

Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected]