Connect Transit

Bloomington Normal's public bus system will let people ride free through the end of May.

The Connect Transit board renewed the fare suspension to ease the impact of the pandemic. And for the first time since the coronavirus became prevalent, Connect Transit has specifically indicated a likely date to resume collecting fares -- June 1. That would include fixed-route buses and Connect Mobility paratransit service.

Engineers outlined the pros and cons of three proposed sites for a bus transfer center in downtown Bloomington on Wednesday.

A project that will create an affordable senior housing development in a renovated building near Fairview Park moved forward Monday, with the Normal Town Council’s support.   

During the virtual meeting, the council unanimously approved the amended site plan for 901-905 N. Main St., at what’s known as the old Fairview building.

The Bloomington City Council on Monday overwhelmingly voted to join the Welcoming Network, a nonprofit group that prides itself on creating inclusive environments for immigrants through community engagement, job training and other initiatives. 

Bloomington-Normal's public transit agency is seeking public input on its search for a new general manager.

The state transportation department is giving Bloomington-Normal's public bus system $9.9 million.

Connect Transit will undergo yet another leadership change as interim General Manager Martin Glaze is leaving the public transit agency.

Bloomington Normal's public bus system will continue free rides through the first week in November.

The Connect Transit board has suspended fare collections on fixed route and Connect Mobility Paratransit services as part of its response to the pandemic.

Two central Illinois congressmen headed to Washington, D.C. this weekend for a special session said it’s not the reason they think they should be going.

Bloomington-Normal's public bus system will get an additional $8 million for a planned downtown Bloomington transfer center.

More leadership changes are coming to Bloomington-Normal’s public transit agency.

In a meeting with the Bloomington City Council Monday night, Connect Transit board chair Ryan Whitehouse pledged the public transportation service will become completely ADA compliant by 2024.

Connect Transit General Manager Isaac Thorne says the service may need to use $9.1 million in federal assistance to offset a potential lack of state funding.

Thorne said Connect Transit has no assurance the Illinois Department of Transportation will be able to provide its normal 65% reimbursement of expenses after September. IDOT is the bus service’s largest funding source.

Connect Transit has extended its suspension of fare collection until Aug. 2. The extension includes fixed-route buses and the Connect Mobility paratransit service.

McLean County health officials announced one new COVID-19 case on Tuesday, while three more patients have recovered.

Bloomington-Normal's bus service will halt service early the next two days. Connect Transit said public and employee safety drove the decision to suspend service at 7 p.m. Monday and Tuesday.

Bloomington-Normal's public bus system will cut fares for people with disabilities and raise them for everybody else.

The coronavirus story is developing quickly in Illinois. Here are updates from WGLT's newsroom and our partners at Illinois Public Radio, NPR, and The Associated Press.

UPDATED 11:15 a.m. | President Trump on Friday signed an historic $2 trillion economic recovery package into law.

Almost 11 months ago to the day, Heidi Zimmerman spoke before the Connect Transit board of trustees, making a “desperate plea” that the board not increase rates for Connect Mobility riders.

Bloomington-Normal's transit agency is updating progress toward achieving 100% ADA compliance through a new interactive map on its website.

The group tasked with generating a plan to address a funding gap that could render Connect Transit insolvent by 2026 has concluded its work.

UPDATED 11:25 a.m. | The community panel tasked with helping Connect Transit secure financial sustainability will recommend soliciting a half-million dollar funding increase over two years from Bloomington and Normal to help address the service’s structural deficit.

Illinois State University’s Board of Trustees has ratified a six-month extension of its agreement with Connect Transit to cover free bus access for students, faculty and staff.

Illinois State University and Connect Transit have come to terms on a six-month agreement that would maintain universal access for ISU students, faculty and staff.

Heartland Community College’s Board of Trustees will take up a six-month universal access contract with Connect Transit on Tuesday.