By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – Negotiations have hit a stalemate as Connect Transit wants to receive a larger subsidy from Illinois State University to provide free bus service for students, faculty, and staff.
A divided Connect Transit Board on Thursday refused to accept a recommendation that would have extended the contract another six months, with ISU paying the transit system an extra two percent.
The contract expires at the end of this month, meaning ISU would lose the service in January if the two sides can’t reach an agreement.
The board’s vote was 3-3, with Chair Mike McCurdy casting one of the no votes. McCurdy says the nearly $278,000 subsidy does not keep up with inflation.
Vice Chair Ryan Whitehouse and Monica Bullington also voted no.
Board member Julie Hile voted for the temporary contract extension, although she noted Connect General Manager Isaac Thorne has been meeting for months with ISU representatives.
“I couldn’t tell you standing here where it’s going to land, except to say that I’ve got confidence in our community, and we’ll figure it out,” Hile said.
Hile, John Bowman, and Judy Buchanan voted to extend the contract.
ISU uses Connect Transit buses to run its Redbird Express Service. Plus, the Universal Access Agreement allows students, faculty, and staff to ride all fixed route buses for free by swiping a valid identification card.
Connect has provided universal access to ISU since 2006.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
