By Jake Fogal

BLOOMINGTON – A new bus route by Connect Transit was announced last week that would journey to the western edge of town to Rivian Automotive.

Connect Transit General Manager David Braun says that two routes will be active seven day’s a week from Uptown Normal and Downtown Bloomington, each benefiting more than just the Electric Vehicle Company.

He spoke with WJBC on The Neil Doyle Show on Monday.

“The route would be starting in Uptown Normal and Downtown Bloomington. The one from downtown would be going to Market Street, it would serve Walmart and all the businesses along Market Street. Up Rivian Motorway to Rivian, and then to Uptown Normal,” Braun said.

“Uptown Normal would go the opposite, College Avenue to Rivian, down Rivian Motorway to Market Street, then to downtown(Bloomington).”

Braun says businesses including OSF Prompt Care and Schwan’s along West Market Street as well as West College Avenue will also benefit from the new route.

The new route would replace the Lime express service, and could be active as soon as July.

Braun says Connect Transit is hosting a meeting at 4:30 Tuesday for public outreach and comments.

Meetings are held in the Board Room, at 351 Wylie Drive in Normal.

Jake Fogal can be reached at [email protected].