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Connect Transit reports ridership growth, proposes $4 in‑county/$8 out‑of‑county fare and a no‑show policy
Summary
Connect Transit reported a roughly 34% rise in ridership to 958 rides in the quarter and proposed a flat fare (in‑county $4, out‑of‑county $8), outlined a proposed no‑show policy with graduated suspensions, and said IDOT green‑lit a Region 6 reciprocal one‑way coordination pilot.
Brandon Miles of Connect Transit told the Lane Use and Transportation Committee that ridership on the Connect Go service rose about 34% from quarter two, recording 958 rides in quarter three and just over 2,000 rides since the July launch. "Compared to quarter one and quarter two, ridership continues to increase. We're actually up about 34% from quarter two. Uh we did 958 rides this past quarter," Miles said.
Miles proposed simplifying the fare structure to a flat rate handled by vendor Yumo: $4 for a one‑way in‑county trip and $8 for a one‑way out‑of‑county trip. He said the vendor would accept a mobile app, smart card, cash, debit and credit, and stressed the county would need to submit an OP8 (an IDOT fair‑rate filing) roughly 90 days before fare collection. "So, it would be $4 for per one‑way in‑county trip and $8 for a one‑way out‑of‑county trip," Miles said. Committee members asked how binding the rate would be; Miles said fare changes require re‑filing with IDOT and county approval and he would verify exact timing for adjustments.
Members raised access concerns and urged Connect Transit to propose reduced‑fare or hardship programs for low‑income riders. Member Zbarath asked about paths for riders with financial hardship; Miles said staff could explore discounts and that Connect Transit wants to ensure equal access. "We could find ways to offer discounts," Miles said, and added staff would return with options.
Miles also outlined outreach and evaluation plans: a paper rider survey distributed on vehicles since mid‑March, email distribution for riders who provided addresses, and a plan to run the survey through the end of May with a digital version to be added. He said results will inform FY27 service additions and that staff will host engagement sessions demonstrating fare technology.
On operations, Miles described a proposed no‑show policy modeled on paratransit practice to curb repeat no‑shows while allowing appeals for emergencies. Under the draft, five or more no‑shows in a calendar month could trigger a graduated suspension beginning with a one‑day suspension and rising to as many as five days with repeated infractions; Miles said paratransit has used a similar policy with very few suspensions over six years. He also described IDOT approval of a Region 6 cross‑county reciprocal trips proposal—one provider would take outbound trips and the receiving provider return riders on a reciprocal basis—and said IDOT assigned him and the McLean County Regional Planning Commission to implement it regionally.
What happens next: Connect Transit will take committee feedback, proceed with OP8 filing timelines if the committee endorses a fare structure, continue the rider survey and outreach through May, and return with proposals for discounts and technical solutions. The county board must formally approve fare changes and staff will supply additional verification on filing timelines if requested.
