MTD Updates

There have been some updates on the local mass transit service in the C-U metropolitan area, the MTD, in the news in the past few weeks. These include reduced service on campus, safety measures for kids getting to school, and  "Learn to Ride" resources for younger riders.

The Daily Illini highlighted the reduced service for the spring semester:

The service and frequency of MTD rides will mimic the model that was in place over winter break, with some changes...

According to Snyder, these service reductions came after the University contacted MTD regarding “compromised revenue streams.”

“The University needed MTD to pull back the service because they could not pay for the normal full UI service that we normally provide,” Snyder said.

Full article here. More details available at the MTD press release and website here. The Daily Illini had additional coverage on reduced fees as well last week:

Lowa Mwilambwe, associate vice chancellor for Auxiliary, Health and Wellbeing, said that these reductions were made in response to lower bus ridership and less students on campus.

“We looked at the big picture, the ridership at every level,” Mwilambwe said. “And those decisions were made based on what is best for the University.”

Mwilambwe notes that students have asked the University for a reduction in fees, which the University accommodated. 

That full article here.

WCIA highlighted the CU Safe Routes to School program:

“The program is designed to help encourage and support students being able to walk and bike to school,” said CU Safe Routes to School Co-Chair Cynthia Hoyle...

Volunteers brave the cold to ensure clean sidewalks. They are asked to clear a designated route within 48 hours of snowfall...

The program is supported by C-U school districts and CUMTD. They were recently awarded a grant by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Full article with video segment here. More information available at the program's facebook page here.

The MTD website also has a press release with information and links for younger riders and "Learn to Ride" resources. From that press release.

We hope the tools and School Trip information we’ve been able to provide virtually will be helpful to families and students preparing for the resumption of in-person learning, families who may be new to our community, or those families who just need a refresher.

Urbana School District 116 in-person learning for Middle and High School students will occur on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, in both the morning and afternoon. Champaign Unit 4 in-person learning for Middle and High School students will occur Tuesdays through Fridays, only in the afternoon.

Families can use our Schools page to find updated School Trip information by clicking on a school, and clicking View Route Info for your neighborhood. A detailed route map with School Trip start times and bus stop information will display for trips to school and home from school. Click Download Map to save a copy of the route information for your student’s trips.

Families can also click on a school and enter a starting or home address in the white Address box on the school’s landing page. MTD's School Trip Planner will provide updated routing information for trips to school and home from school.

Full press release here.