By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – Connect Transit will have to shut down temporarily if the state does not come through with payments the company relies on.
General Manager Andrew Johnson explained during a public comment session on the issue Thursday night the state is about six months behind on its payments to downstate transit authorities.
Richard Greenfield called Connect Transit a jobs program.
“Let’s think about the 150 people who work for Connect Transit. If they lose their jobs, that means the State of Illinois has less money going into the income taxes,” said Greenfield. “That means they’re not paying income taxes.”
Greenfield added many Illinois State University students rely on bus service to get to their jobs.
Johnson explained 65 percent of their budget comes from the state. Glen Ludwig questioned why Connect Transit is so reliant on state funding in the first place.
“We all know we’re in the State of Illinois, and we also know we’re in the United States of America, and at both levels government isn’t very well funded. Particularly in Illinois,” Ludwig said.
Johnson said the transit provider in Jacksonville, Ill. has already had to shut down due to lack of funding. He said Connect Transit has enough funds to make it through the end of the year.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at adam.studzinski@cumulus.com.
