Free rides to continue on Connect Transit buses

Posted on October 28, 2020
Connect Transit’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday night to suspend fare collection from November to March. (Photo courtesy: HOI/ABC)

By Heart of Illinois ABC

BLOOMINGTON – With no end in sight to the COVID-19 pandemic, Connect Transit will continue providing free bus service.

Connect Transit’s Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday night to suspend fare collection from November to March.

The public transportation system has not collected fares since the start of the pandemic to reduce crowding crowding at the front doors and farebox, and to limit the amount of time drivers and passengers are near each other.

With winter and the flu season approaching and (COVID) numbers on the rise, it would be best to extend the free fares throughout winter and reevaluate as spring approaches,” staffers said in a memo to the trustees.

Staff is estimating the Connect Transit will lose $300,000 in farebox revenue during the next four months. However, the staff expects the federal government will reimburse the bus system for the lost revenue through the CARES Act.

Heart of Illinois ABC can be reached at [email protected]. 

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