MTD changes in effect for fall

The 21 Quad and 4 Blue MTD buses pass each other on Wright Street on Tuesday.
Ned Mulka The Daily Illini

Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District buses will be taking new routes, making more stops and running later into evenings and weekends this fall.

Bill Volk, managing director for the MTD, said the new routes become active Aug. 16.

According to an MTD report, goals of the changes include: providing a ten-minute frequency for each route, reduced number of trips on Wright Street, increased capacity, simplified route structure, more "one-seat" rides (trips without a transfer), significantly improved evening and late night service and reduced energy consumption — both vehicle miles traveled and emissions.

Historically, buses only ran north on Wright Street, but after a redesign in the early 2000s, buses run southbound as well.

"This new (set of routes) takes advantage of dual direction on Wright," Volk said.

Buses will also be running every 10 minutes between downtown Urbana, Champaign and campus, Volk said.

"All dorms will have a 'one-seat ride' to downtown Urbana and Champaign," Volk said.

Morgan Johnston, transportation demand management coordinator in the Facilities and Services division, said the routes benefit those people trying to move between campus and downtown.

"(Facilities and Services has) pushed to limit vehicle traffic on campus," Johnston said. "The new bus routes will allow people to go downtown for lunch or an appointment."

Volk said the MTD is under the process of hiring and training people because of the increased hours. Some are being trained for the greater weekend and evenings services this fall.

"We have been trying to hire and train new operators," Volk said.

Last spring, students narrowly approved a student transportation fee that will increase to $50 over the next three years, Volk said.

The new fee will be $46 this fall, $48 next year and $50 the third year.

Johnston said the only cost to the University because of route changes is reflected in other aspects of the proposed MTD contract.

As far as learning the new routes, Johnston said students historically have not needed outside help to learn the bus system.

"There are four straight back and forth routes," Johnston said. "When a freshman comes to campus, they usually learn somehow."

Students living off campus should benefit from the restructured routes as well.

The 22 Illini will run on Lincoln Avenue to serve apartments on North Lincoln, with service running every 10 minutes, Volk said.

Cathy Murphy, property manager at Capstone Quarters on North Lincoln Avenue, said she thinks the increased service on the evenings and weekends will allow students to get back to their apartments from campus more easily.

"I'm sure the MTD won't be too excited," Murphy said, referring to students coming back after drinking.

Jeff Scott, marketing manager for One North Apartments, also on North Lincoln Avenue, said off-campus housing exploded in the last 10 years, and more students are choosing to live off campus.

One North's location hasn't been a hindrance to students — the current Silver 13 bus route, which runs every 30 minutes, serves the complex — but the new 10-minute routes will be a great benefit to the residents there, he said.

"I think it will be great; I'm really excited for it," Scott said.