Grundy County transit reports 1,482 rides in August, $100,000 Section 5310 award and scheduling software rollout

Grundy County transit staff told the Highway & Transit Committee that GPS-provided service recorded 1,482 rides in August, an average of about 70 rides per day, and that ridership has picked up as school resumed.

Staff reported vehicle disposals and transfers: bus No. 5 was sold to the Grundy County Sheriff Explorer program for $1,500; bus No. 16 is in the process of being sold to Special Connections of Grundy County; and bus No. 7 has a new home and will be picked up soon. Committee members noted the Special Olympics and Special Connections as beneficiaries of surplus vehicles.

Funding and software: staff said the transit system was awarded a Section 53 10 (transcript text) grant of $100,000 to enhance mobility for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Staff also reported that the new scheduling software (CTS) was approved by IDOT on Aug. 28 and that the county received an invoice for $66,750 for the software. Implementation is underway with initial staff training completed and a projected seven-week rollout; staff said the system would be activated by Dec. 1 and expected to allow riders to schedule rides and pay electronically.

Staff described software benefits including improved driver-hour efficiency, miles tracking and easier rider scheduling via the app. The transit center remains under review pending pre-bid concurrence from IDOT (transcript reference) and staff said they expect decisions on some local roads/transit grant selections by September; if not selected, staff said a later transit-only round may be available.

Ending: Staff will continue implementation of the scheduling software, begin grant-driven construction planning if awarded, and return to the committee with updates on software activation and grant status.