It's been a month since Connect Transit launched its new rural on-demand service called Connect Go in McLean County. It replaces the service formerly run by Show Bus, only the new service no longer runs regular routes.
Connect Transit Managing Director David Braun said the first month has demonstrated a need for the service.
“The people who were using it under Show Bus are still using it now,” Braun said in an interview on WGLT’s Sound Ideas. “The service continues to grow.”
Braun said the first week saw about 20 riders, and after a few glitches with its software and radio communications the service grew to about 40 riders by the third week. He expects that number to grow further over time as reliability improves.
He said most of the riders are taking care of weekly necessities, such as doctor’s visits and, surprisingly, grocery shopping.
“We’re finding that most [riders] are people that don’t have a car available to them. The people who we are serving as the people who need it most,” Braun said, adding most of the destinations have been in Bloomington-Normal.
Connect Transit is contracted by McLean County to operate the service. Braun said the transit agency has been assessing the needs and will likely look to expand outside of McLean County.
Show Bus had offered regular routes from Bloomington-Normal to Weston, Saybrook, Chenoa and Gridley and it still operates in DeWitt, Ford, Iroquois, Kankakee, Livingston, Logan, Macon and Mason counties.
McLean County pulled out of the agreement for Show Bus last year.
Braun said he hopes to work with Show Bus in those neighboring counties to help with longer trips.
“I do think the expectation is that we do serve immediately adjacent counties, but it’s determining what that expectation is and how frequently [that] we need to do [it] before we start rolling it out that service,” Braun said, adding Connect Transit plans to submit a formal recommendation for service to the county board during its October meeting.
He said increased service may also include dedicating more vehicles for that service and expanding hours beyond 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Rides must be requested before noon the previous day to allow for coordination of trips.
Braun said the agency is looking to set up regular route service to Lifelong Access and other care providers.
Braun said expanded service will need to come with a ridership fare. Connect Go is currently free. Braun says the service, which operates three eight-passenger vans with lift access, relies on the agency’s regular roster of bus drivers, relies on about $830,000 in state and federal funding.
Brown said Connect Transit will consider adding a fare when its governing board meets in September.
Show Bus previously had a $5 fare for in-county trips and $7 for out-of-county routes.
