By Adam Studzinski
NORMAL – The Normal Town Council got a look Monday night at the new possible route structure Connect Transit could soon implement.
General Manager Andrew Johnson said the new system is more efficient, but there will be some inconveniences.
“We’re working as hard as we can to mitigate those as best we can, but in some cases there will be inconveniences,” said Johnson. “That is the reason that we’ve had so many listening sessions and so much outreach, because we want to be able to make the most reasoned decisions that we can.”
Some members of the public have expressed concern over the fact the new routes do not reach some of the residential areas on the outer areas of the Twin Cities. Johnson explained they’re working on a solution for this, but for right now it’s more efficient to not send a regular bus to some of those areas.
Despite some of those concerns, Councilman Kevin McCarthy liked what he saw.
“If something’s changing that’s perceived negative, I know it’s a hard decision for you guys to do that, but I really commend you on the lengths you’ve gone to listen to the public,” McCarthy said.
The Connect Transit Board of Trustees will vote on the new routes next month. If approved, Johnson said they would take effect in August.
Also on Monday, the Town Council approved a pair of water main replacement projects. One is set to take place in Greenbriar subdivision. The other will take place on University Street from College Avenue to Willow Street.
Adam Studzinski can be reached at [email protected].
