Public Comment on Proposed Service Reductions

As of today, October 27, 2016, SMTD has not yet received regular state reimbursement utilized for SMTD operations dating back to the beginning of FY 2017 on July 1. In anticipation of continued similar delays in funding and due to uncertainty in the future stability of statewide transit funding as a whole, SMTD is proposing the following changes as a first step to reduce cost while affecting the fewest passengers possible:

Elimination Of Saturday Night Service

Saturday Night Service is a new service which began just two months ago. While passengers who have begun to use the service will be inconvenienced, this service requires extra maintenance, dispatch and paratransit staff in addition to the operators required to run the routes.

Elimination of Night Service Route 904

Night Service Route 904 runs opposite the 903 along the same route on the west side. Route 904 passengers may be inconvenienced, but route 903 ensures night service will remain in one direction along that route. The proposed change will reduce overall night service by 20% while still leaving passengers another option.

Reduction of all Night Service Monday through Friday by two hours

The proposed elimination of the last two current trips of weeknight service reduces all aspects of SMTD operational costs by ten hours per week. Similar to Saturday service, this service requires extra maintenance, dispatch and paratransit staff in addition to the operators required to run the route. Night service after the change would consist of one-hour trips at 6:45, 7:45, and 8:45 on the current routes 901, 902, 903 and 905.

Impact on Access Springfield paratransit service

Reductions in SMTD regular service hours will impact Access passengers as well. Access paratransit service runs the same hours as SMTD mainline service. So, any reduction in service hours at the end of that day on weekdays and on Saturdays will reduce paratransit service hours by an equal amount.

Public comments will be taken on November 4, 2016 in the Carnegie Room North at Lincoln Library (326 S. 7th Street) at the following times: 

  • 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM
  • 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM

Click here for directions.

 
 

Public comments will also be taken on November 16, 2016 at the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) in Room H of the Public Affairs Center from 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM.

Click here for directions.

This online comment form was discontinued on 11/22/2016. Thank you to all that submitted comments!

How You Can Help

In the absence of multiple state payments required by Illinois statute and due to state budget uncertainty, Springfield Mass Transit District is considering significant night service reductions, and may be forced to make further service reductions in the future in order to maintain core services.

Please contact everyone from the Governor's Office to your local legislators and let them know how important public transportation is to you!