Reagan Mass Transit reports ridership growth, Winnebago County service start and launches hydrogen feasibility study

Reagan Mass Transit representatives briefed the Lee County Executive Committee July 10 on the agency’s first full fiscal year and recent service expansions. Nut graf: Agency staff reported 91,175 rides, 28,603 service hours and about 770,000 service miles for fiscal year 2025, noted fuel costs of roughly $227,000 for the year, announced a new rural Winnebago County contract effective July 1, and said they have started a hydrogen feasibility study with the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign. Details: Greg, who identified himself with Reagan Mass Transit, said they completed their first year as the Reagan Mass Transit District in June and are entering a second fiscal year. He invited committee members to an open house for National Rural Transit Day from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. the following day and offered facility tours. Greg reported ridership and service metrics and said the new Winnebago County service covers the western portion of that county; he described initial rider counts there as “a slow trickle” but said conversations with local entities are yielding riders. Hydrogen study: Greg said the agency “now have now started a full hydrogen feasibility study with the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign” to explore fuel‑cell vehicles and hydrogen as a rural transit fuel source. Next steps: The agency will monitor ridership in Winnebago County and advance the hydrogen feasibility study; committee members had no questions at the meeting and encouraged members to tour the facility. Ending: The transcript records no formal motion or county action connected to the transit report; the presentation was informational.