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Grundy County transit center funding combined to $6.11 million; service launch moved to Dec. 8
Summary
County transit staff said the project was selected for $3.5 million in state funding and that two grant phases will be combined, bringing total funding to $6,108,400. Staff also moved the new service start to Dec. 8 to allow expanded training.
Madeline, a county transit staff member, told the meeting that Gov. Pritzker announced the county27s transit center was selected as one of 10 projects for a $3,500,000 award and that county and state staff were discussing recombining the project27s two phases.
"We were one of 10 transit projects selected for this funding of $3,500,000," Madeline said. She added that combining the two grants will require an amended award and that the county27s engineering and IDOT reviewers are coordinating the redesigns.
The county27s transit staff reported that after combining the two grant phases the total available funding for the project will be $6,108,400. Madeline said reassembling the project should save time and avoid going out for two separate bids, and that staff were hopeful the county could advertise the project for bids this winter.
On operations, Madeline said the transit program provided 1,704 rides in the month referenced, an increase over 1,391 rides in the prior month, with employment-related trips up by about 200 compared with the same time last year.
"We've got a list of places we're sending [the bid]," Madeline said, adding that the county hopes to attract local bidders. She also reported that all retired buses have been removed and the active fleet is 14 vehicles.
Madeline said training for new scheduling software is underway and that staff had planned a Dec. 1 service start, but will instead begin service on Dec. 8 to ensure trainers can provide two consecutive weeks of on-site support and to avoid launching during the Thanksgiving week.
Scott from IT was credited with preparing hardware and tablets for vehicles. The meeting record shows a motion to approve transit claims was made and seconded and approved by voice vote.
What happened next: Staff will await the amended combined grant award from the state before issuing a pre-bid; the county plans to advertise the contract and, barring unexpected delays, aim to put the project to bid this winter. Transit service launch is set for Dec. 8, pending final trainer support and software readiness.
