By Nick McClintock

NORMAL – Residents from throughout Bloomington-Normal came out to the Normal Public Library Wednesday night to discuss reductions for public transportation which are expected to go into effect later this summer.

Connect Transit recently approved its budget for the next fiscal year, which will include cuts to the Bloomington and Normal ‘tripper’ routes, as well as cuts to Connect Mobility, a service that caters to the elderly and those with disabilities.

Interim General Manager Issac Thorne said the cuts will allow the public transit company make improvements, and keep the buses running in general.

“The board approved the budget which will reduce hours and save us a little bit of money, and that will allow us to make it to 2022 with our current funding situation,” Thorne said.

Thorne added 23 out of their 42 bus fleet needs to be replaced, and with the state funding currently a fiscal quarter behind, they have been forced to use federal money that would normally be used for maintenance instead for normal operations.

Laura Furlong, a representative with Marcfirst in Bloomington, said a lot of people are concerned about the proposed reductions would hurt those with disabilities who use the Connect Mobility program.

“We know that some people with disabilities live with family members that will be affected by this, having their family member get to and from work, to doctors appointments, practicing their religion, etc.,” Furlong said.

Furlong spoke with representatives from Connect Transit and applauds them for speaking with the community. She said the long-term plan the public transit company is putting forth will also help dictate where future Marcfirst community homes exist.

The changes are set to become official in July, and will begin to take effect in late August of this year.

Nick McClintock can be reached at [email protected].