
By Patrick Baron
NORMAL – The Connect Transit Board of Trustees voted on Tuesday to move forward with proposed route restructures and the Connect Mobility premium service.
The route changes are expected to save Connect Transit around $725,000 per year. The money saved will help replace 23 of 42 fixed-route buses over the next five years.
The board also approved a premium service for residents who qualify for the service. Connect Transit will begin offering the premium service and the tiered price structure beginning August 6: $2 within 3/4 mile of a fixed route, $3 from 3/4 to 1 mile of a fixed route, and $4 from 1 mile to 1.25 miles of a fixed route.
Other changes include ending the Bloomington and Normal tripper routes and adjustments to help riders transfer between buses at Uptown Station in Normal.
Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].