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Reagan Mass Transit reports ridership uptick, surveys show 75% awareness locally
Summary
Reagan Mass Transit told the county committee rural services are growing, contracts for rural routes have been executed, a transit‑desert study and hydrogen fuel‑cell feasibility study are underway, and a passenger survey showed 105 responses with 75% awareness and 64% rating services excellent or good.
At the Sept. 9, 2025 meeting, Greg Gates, speaking for Reagan Mass Transit, reported growth in ridership and ongoing work to expand services into rural Winnebago and Lee counties.
“Once again, overall for the fiscal year, reach around 92,000,” said Greg Gates, summarizing systemwide activity and forecasting overall metrics for the fiscal year. Gates said the rural‑service rollout is “gaining some motion”; August figures included about 100 rides in a rural area, and phone inquiries are increasing.
Gates told the committee that contracts supporting rural Winnebago County service for July reimbursements were submitted and executed, and that local contracts for Lee and Ogle counties, including the 5311 intercity bus contract administered through the Illinois Department of Transportation, have been executed. “Those routes… with Greyhound being the operator of those two routes,” Gates said.
He said work continues on a hydrogen fuel‑cell feasibility study and a transit‑desert study. Gates said a public survey distributed in Lee County produced 105 responses; “75% of the residents were aware of our services,” he said, and “64% rated our services as excellent or good.” Common complaints included scheduling challenges, the need to book one to two days in advance, high demand and extended wait times.
Gates said the transit agency is exploring partnerships with Rock Valley College to improve access for rural residents to classes at multiple campus locations. He said staff will continue outreach and follow up with consultants at the NIU Center for Governmental Studies on survey results.
The committee had no questions for Gates at the meeting and offered thanks for the report.
