By HOI ABC
NORMAL – Connect Transit would add bus service to Rivian Automotive in west Normal perhaps as soon as August or September as part of a budget that the public transportation system’s board will vote on in May.
At the end of March, just over 5,000 people were working at the electric vehicle factory, and the workforce there is expected to increase in the near-future. However, it’s hoped the new route will serve many others in what’s projected to be a high-growth area, said Connect Transit General Manager David Braun.
If the Connect Transit board approves the budget, the new U-shaped route would start in Uptown Normal, go west toward Rivian, before heading east to Downtown Bloomington.
The service would run during peak hours, roughly between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m., and from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., according to Braun. He said it would not be an express service, so there would be several stops along the way.
Four or five new drivers would need to be hired, part of approximately $950,000 that’s in the proposed budget for the coming fiscal year. Braun said 65% of that would be funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Downstate Operating Assistance Program. He said the rest would come from federal dollars, fares and other local sources.
Braun said the transit system would eliminate the Lime Express service to Walmart on West Market Street because the Rivian route would cover much of the same area.
There will be a public comment period, so Braun said there could be some changes to the proposal.
