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County told ShowBus may stop service; officials discuss transition options and contracts
Summary
County transportation planners said a contracted provider, ShowBus, signaled it may end service in the county; board members discussed transitional contracts, a possible provider from Vermilion County stepping up and the need to preserve rural transit service.
County officials told the board that ShowBus — a local provider used under contract for rural transportation — indicated it may no longer service parts of Iroquois County, prompting discussion of transition options and inter-county contracts.
Committee members who attended regional meetings said Vermilion County provider Chris (as referenced in the meeting) and other operators have capacity to absorb some routes but not immediately; a three- to six-month transition was discussed as preferable to a sudden handoff. Monty, Jamie and Donna (committee members) said the county currently has only one active contract (with the ARC) and must expand provider contracts to maintain service. A representative said Fort County and Livingston County have been coordinating contracts and garage/office arrangements to preserve service in a multi-county region.
Nut graf: Rural transportation is largely contract-driven; the board heard that preserving the service will require negotiating new contracts, pursuing available state or inter-county arrangements, and conducting outreach to potential providers. The committee noted a November/IDOT funding landscape and the need to identify local contracts that could cover matching costs.
Next steps: Committee members will continue outreach with potential providers, pursue a free state survey tool to identify local needs and examine contract terms; staff will bring contract language and service plans back to future meetings. Members emphasized the urgency of keeping services for seniors and residents with mobility needs intact while new providers or contracts are negotiated.
Ending: Board members urged staff to prioritize transportation contracting and community outreach to keep the rural rides program operational while a transition plan is finalized.
