New bus routes finalized

March 4, 2009
By Greta Myers
Public Affairs Reporter

Changes to the SMTD bus route around UIS were given the go-ahead with a pilot program slated to go into effect later this month.

Although the SMTD board approved the route changes on Nov. 24, 2008, they were delayed until all concerns within the UIS community were addressed.

On Monday, February 23, Steven Black, Chair of the UIS Transportation Committee, SGA President Ashley Rook, and Director of the Office of Student Life, Cynthia Thompson reached that agreement with Director of Housing, John Ringle, in a conference call. Later that day, Black, Rook and Thompson took the issue before the SMTD’s Board of Trustees.

SMTD Managing Director, Linda Tisdale said that although the route changes do not have a set date, they are tied to the printing of the new schedules in mid March. 

Rook said that the changes will make the bus more accessible to students and that it is the first time since the 1970’s that the route will connect the entire campus. She also said that students will be able to take the “ride free zone” to classes on either side of campus.  Students can also ride free to Lincoln Land Community College’s Subway Restaurant, which has $3.00 sandwich specials.

Ringle said that he hopes the new visibility will help build ridership. “If students support it, and we never know until we try.”

Black was optimistic as well.

“If it works well, it will stay as a template for the future of bus service, showing where routes could go,” Black said.   “If it doesn’t work out, try something else. We have not much to lose.”

If the pilot program does not work out during the spring and summer semesters, it can be changed during the fall semester, Black said.