June 6th Route Updates

There are a handful of changes and updates going into effect on Monday, June 6th.

Urbanized Area Routes

Due to extremely low ridership, the mid-day trips spanning 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM on routes 410 (Chatham), 430 (Sherman), and 440 (Riverton) are suspended until further notice.

Route 4 - West Lawrence

Route 4 previously used 7th Street to circle to Clay and then 9th to make a stop at the SMTD office before heading west, but will now use 8th Street instead.

Route 7 - West Washington

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Map showing the new path of Route 7 (red) compared to the previous version (blue).

Instead of taking West White Oaks to Iles to get to Veterans Parkway inbound, Route 7 will continue north on West White Oaks to Green Briar before getting on Veterans. Two stops that had previously been cut (1304 and 1306) will be reinstalled on the east side of West White Oaks between Iles and Greenbriar, mirroring the Route 903 stops (1272 and 1273) on the west side of that road segment.

Route 15 - UIS / Seven Pines

The “teardrop” at the UIS PAC building is reopened but there isn’t enough room for multiple buses to be stopped there at the same time. The 11 will remain unchanged, but the 15 will start its route at the UIS book store instead.

Franklin Park (Routes 15 and 905)

Bus stops 1366 and 1367 on South 11th Street have been moved west to the light poles closest to the new sidewalk connecting Pickfair Road and 11th Street, making service more accessible for the Franklin Park area. Both stops are serviced by Route 15 and Route 905. This change has already gone into effect, but on June 6th the new locations will be reflected in the schedule data used for our real-time bus tracker and navigation apps like Google Maps, Apple Maps, etc.

Route 801 - State Fair Shuttle

The State Fair Shuttle bus will offer 30-minute trips to and from the fair and downtown on weekday evenings from August 13th to August 20th. Check our State Fair 2022 page for more information on service to the fair.

SMTD Board Approves Zero Emissions Fleet Transition Plan

Sangamon Mass Transit District’s (SMTD) Board of Trustees met Monday for their regular May meeting and approved the district’s first Zero Emissions Fleet Transition Plan as required by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Many applications for federal grant funding now require a zero-emissions fleet transition plan, and SMTD developed the new plan to meet this requirement to apply for the next round of new buses to replace aging diesel buses.

“Since adding compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to our fleet in the mid-90s, SMTD has been a leader in Illinois in running low-emissions buses,” said SMTD Managing Director Steve Schoeffel. “With forty percent of our fleet CNG, we’re moving to change out our diesel fleet with diesel-electric hybrids, making our fleet fully low-emissions in the next ten years.”

SMTD currently runs 34 diesel-fueled buses and 22 CNG buses. The transition plan calls for gradually replacing the diesel buses with hybrids, then eventually introducing hydrogen fuel cell buses, transitioning the fleet to over fifty percent zero emissions in the next twenty-five years. For redundancy, SMTD plans to always utilize at least two different fuel types in the event an emergency or disaster eliminates one fuel source. So, unless a good alternative for CNG emerges, a portion of the fleet will remain fueled by CNG well into the future.

“We’re still planning studies to determine our next alternative fuel, but early research shows hydrogen fuel cell buses (HFCB) may be a better fit for our fleet, our operations, and our local climate,” Schoeffel said. “Any alternative fuel vehicle we decide to go with will be more expensive than diesel or CNG buses, and they will require fueling infrastructure. Right now, we’re leaning toward HFCBs, and we should be able to come to a more concrete decision in the next few years.”

Other agencies – particularly AC Transit in Oakland, California – have been studying various fuel-type buses side by side over decades, including diesel, hybrid, battery-electric buses (BEB), and HFCBs. Those studies have shown HFCBs can serve as a one-for-one swap with diesel vehicles based on range, operate more reliably in extreme heat or cold, and provide less down-time for repairs than BEBs. The possibility of eventually running HFC fueling stations exclusively with solar power is also an attractive option under consideration, ultimately reducing SMTD’s reliance on the local power grid.

SMTD believes while the up-front cost of the buses and infrastructure will be higher than maintaining the status quo, the cost to operate the vehicles and the reduced impact on the environment in local neighborhoods is a benefit.

“We operate in eighteen census tracts designated as ‘disadvantaged’ by the Council on Environmental Quality’s Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool,” added Schoeffel. “Whether because of issues with sustainable housing, workforce development, health burdens, clean energy availability, or legacy pollution, these disadvantaged communities will immediately benefit from cleaner-running buses on their streets.”

Cost estimates for HFCBs and BEBs exceed a million per bus, nearly double the current cost of a diesel vehicle, which is why SMTD is moving in a measured, deliberate manner. Much of the funding for the fleet transition is expected to come from federal grant funds.

“We anticipate growing service needs and higher operational costs in the future, so we want to avoid saddling our successors with an unsustainable fleet replacement plan,” he said. These decisions are quarter-century or longer decisions, and we will be as efficient as we possibly can be with the tax dollars we are responsible for.”

SMTD Transfer Center Moves Monday, February 21st

With enough work completed to allow the operation of buses on the new surface and the site of SMTD’s new Transfer Center at the Springfield-Sangamon County Transportation Center, operations will begin at the new site Monday morning, February 21st. Three of the four bus lanes are complete, and much of the concrete surface is complete, which will allow SMTD to resume operations on the new site as the building and rest of the project is completed throughout this year.

“We are excited to be moving back to the newly updated site,” said SMTD Managing Director Steve Schoeffel. “This partially-completed facility will better serve the public now even as construction continues.”

SMTD returns to the site on 11th Street between Washington and Adams streets from a temporary location just north in use since late August. Unlike the temporary site, the new site will have some passenger shelters added during the week, and will be a paved, organized space built for bus traffic. As the project progresses, additional shelters and canopies will be constructed to provide even more shelter from the elements for passengers.

Information on where specific routes will be located on the new site can be found in this previous news post.

2/7 PM UPDATE

Attention SMTD ridership as of 1:00PM all mainline and Paratransit routes are operating with these exceptions due to continued hazardous conditions:

Route 1 NO SERVICE to Sandhill or 8th and Griffiths Alternate Sangamon to 5th

Route 2 NO SERVICE to Terminal Ave (Twin Lakes) or Northgate Alternate Sangamon Inbound/Outbound

Route 3 NO SERVICE to MTI and Washington to 13th-Inbound

Route 4 Continues on Snow Route

Route 5 Regular service restored

Route 6 Regular service restored

Route 7 Regular service restored

Route 8 NO Jerome Service Alternate Chatham Road to Wabash then Junction Circle

Route 9 NO SERVICE 25th/Kansas/23rd Alternate Cook to MLK NO SERVICE Cornell Alternate 15th to Ash to MLK

Route 10 Regular service restored

Route 11 NO SERVICE Foundation Drive Alternate Poorman Drive into LLCC

Route 12 Regular service restored

Route 13 Regular service restored

Route 14 NO SERVICE Christopher Lane Alternate Toronto Road to 6th Street Frontage Road

Route 15 Regular service restored

Route 16 NO SERVICE Ash Grove or International Regular service to Archer Elevator Inbound/Outbound

Route 202 NO SERVICE on Villanova Alternate Taylor to Stanford

NO SERVICE 4th and Oberlin Alternate 4th, Stanford to 6TH to Oberlin

Route 220 NO SERVICE on Monroe Alternate Monroe,11th, and Capitol

NO SERVICE Loveland Alternate 11th, Cook

Night Service 901 and 903 regular routes

Route 902 NO SERVICE 13TH Alternate 11th to Capitol NO SERVICE 25TH/Kansas Alternate Wheeler to South Grand NO SERVICE Villanova Alternate Taylor to Stanford

Route 905 NO SERVICE Foundation Drive Alternate Poorman to LLCC

Urbanized Area Service to Chatham, Riverton, Rochester, and Sherman remains suspended for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Realtime updates available by calling SMTD Dispatch 217-522-5531 during operating hours.

UPDATE - SNOW ROUTES INTO MONDAY; NO URBANIZED AREA SERVICE MONDAY

2/4 1:30 PM SMTD will continue to run SNOW ROUTES through the rest of Friday and Friday Night Service, through Saturday, and into Monday morning.  Service will start at normal time Saturday morning and Monday morning.  Snow routes may go back to regular routes Monday morning after staff verifies all applicable roads are safe for operations.  SMTD will make an announcement when that happens.

Urbanized Area routes to Chatham, Riverton, Rochester, and Sherman remain suspended until at least Tuesday so staff can inspect the full routes on Monday.

Any further updates will be posted on social media and the website.  SMTD thanks our passengers and the general public for their patience, and we thank our employees for their hard work in re-starting service as quickly as possible.

2/4 10:30 AM UPDATE - SMTD RESUMED SERVICE AT 8AM

Snow Routes and Multiple Detours in Effect

As crews continue to clear streets, SMTD will begin service Friday morning on Snow Routes with multiple detours.  Buses will NOT be able to enter the parking lot of Walmart North.  Buses will run Dirksen to Northfield to Denver to Atlanta back to Dirksen only. 

SMTD cautions passengers to only travel if absolutely necessary.  While SMTD crews will work to clear shelters and busy stops throughout the day, deep snow in areas make access to stops and shelters unpredictable as service begins this morning, and delays should be expected.  Passengers are encouraged to utilize SMTD.org/snow to see snow routes, keeping in mind the detours below further restrict several snow routes:

Deviation from snow routes

Route 1 will not be using 8th street.  Detour Sangamon to 5th

Route 1,2 and 3 will not go to Walmart on N. Dirksen. Detour Dirksen to Northfield to Denver to Atlanta

Route 16 Wabash to Archer Elevator to Yukon to Meadow Brook to Wabash Eastbound

Operations could determine the need for further detours throughout the morning.

With dangerous wind chills and unpredictable access, SMTD urges those that must go out to dress appropriately.  Any updates will be posted throughout the day on SMTD.org and on Facebook and Twitter.

Due to uncertainty about road conditions Friday morning, SMTD will begin service no earlier than 8am. However, all operations staff are instructed to report at their regularly-scheduled times. Officials will assess conditions of routes and major stops and announce any further delays, snow routes, and/or cancellations throughout the morning.

With sub-zero wind chills predicted, passengers are cautioned to dress appropriately or to stay home if possible. If conditions allow, we will do our best to provide public transportation. However, drifts and plowed snow will make access to stops and destinations difficult in some places.

Updates will be emailed to the media and posted on social media and the website SMTD.org as quickly as possible. High call volume may make reaching dispatch difficult during the day. Please be patient and keep trying if you are unable to get through. We appreciate everyone's understanding as we do our best to provide service in these difficult circumstances.

All SMTD Service to Remain Suspended Through Thursday

This afternoon, Sangamon County declared a Level 2 Weather Emergency, indicating roads are very dangerous due to snow accumulation and drifting, and emergency crews may experience difficulties reaching stranded motorists. Illinois State Police are describing area roads as "extremely dangerous", and multiple government and medical offices, schools, and other services are closing early with most planning to remain closed on Thursday.

With as much as twice the amount of snow already on the ground expected to fall between this afternoon and tomorrow afternoon, continuing hazardous conditions, and roads and sidewalks expected to take some time to clear, SMTD is suspending all service through Thursday, February 3rd. While we never want to suspend service, conditions warrant doing so Thursday for the safety of our passengers, our employees, and any drivers and emergency personnel that have to be out tomorrow.

SMTD will re-evaluate roads late Thursday and early Friday morning, but we plan to begin regular schedules Friday morning with the exception of Urbanized Area service to Chatham, Riverton, Rochester, and Sherman, which we plan to resume Monday. Updates will be posted on the website and social media as necessary. We apologize for any inconvenience, and we hope everyone stays safe and warm.

Snow Routes Planned for 2/2/22 - Update: Service to Be Suspended

Update 8AM: Due to worsening weather conditions, SMTD will suspend service with the last trip leaving the transfer center at 9am and last trip out of junction circle at 8:45am. All passengers should catch the next available bus if they need SMTD transportation home today. Further announcements about Thursday service will be made later today.

Sangamon Mass Transit District (SMTD) announced today they plan to begin operating on snow routes Wednesday morning in anticipation of several inches of snow predicted overnight by the National Weather Service. Staff will assess conditions early in the morning to determine the need for any delays or cancellations, but SMTD will begin the day on snow routes.

SMTD’s snow routes can be seen at smtd.org/snow . Some snow routes can be significantly different than regular routes. So, if residents must travel, SMTD encourages any riders to check the maps to make sure they can get to their route.

SMTD is also canceling its Urbanized Area Service to Chatham, Riverton, Rochester, and Sherman Wednesday. In addition to significant snowfall, forecasts call for substantial wind gusts which could lead to drifting snow, and SMTD anticipates those communities working to clear streets on Wednesday.

SMTD’s office on 9th Street will be closed to the public Wednesday with only operations staff reporting to work and administration employees equipped to work from home doing so.

As long as fixed route service is operating, scheduled Access Paratransit passengers will be picked up if vehicles can get to their buildings and sidewalks are passable.

SMTD will decide on Wednesday afternoon what Thursday service will look like in Springfield and in the surrounding Urbanized Area communities, and they caution passengers to only travel Wednesday if absolutely necessary.