By Howard Packowitz
NORMAL – The Normal Town Council is considering holding up the budget for the Twin-Cities public transportation system because of the planned elimination of a bus route that runs through north Normal.
New council member Karyn Smith urged the council Monday night to exercise its oversight authority over the Connect Transit board, rejecting the budget if the board cuts the Olive route when the fiscal year starts July 1.
City Manager Pam Reece says the board’s decision was data-driven as many of the 41 stops along that route had almost no riders over a six month period from last fall to earlier this spring.
“Of those 41 stops, 12 of those 41 had zero riders, and averaged zero per day for six months,” said Reece.
“Fifteen other stops along those 41 had less than two riders per day,” Reece also said.
Council member Smith said the data did not take into account people who didn’t ride the bus because it was cold outside, and because bus stops were not accessible for the disabled.
“Especially if you’re talking about disabled, or frail, elderly individuals who would not necessarily want to get out in those months,” said Smith.
“Was there any concession made for whether or not there are ADA accessible and compliant bus stops at every stop along that route? Someone would not choose to take the fixed routes if they could not get on and off anywhere along the route,” Smith said.
Elimination of the Olive route is supposed to save the transit system $156,000 a year, according to Connect Transit General Manager Isaac Thorne.
Council member Scott Preston said he wants to hear from Connect Transit representatives when the council meets again June 17.
“I would really press hard, if it’s feasible, to have the Connect Transit presentation to council be at our next meeting,” said Preston.
“We have one meeting ahead of the July 1 deadline when the Olive line is slated to be cut. I think it’s an important conversation to have before that timeline,” Preston also said.
Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]
