CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District (MTD) has kicked off the school year with significant changes to its transit services.
Northeast Urbana
One of the primary changes in MTD service for northeast Urbana is the introduction of Northeast Connect. This new on-demand van service allows for flexible travel within a specific boundary to and from the Lincoln Square transfer point in downtown Urbana This service is available from 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays. As a result, the 10 Gold morning and afternoon routes will no longer operate, which leaves Kerr Ave. between Cunningham and Broadway without direct service. Passengers should use Northeast Connect to transfer to fixed-route buses at Lincoln Square. Northeast Connect complements the 110 Ruby route, which operates on weeknights and weekends. However, the 11 Ruby route has been eliminated.
Southwest Champaign
The MTD has also expanded its West Connect van service in southwest Champaign. The boundaries now include Carle at the Fields.
Starting August 17, MTD has added Apollo Dr. to the 100 Yellow Saturday route. Previously served only on weekdays by the 2 Red and 100 Yellow, Apollo Dr. will now have Saturday service. To accommodate this addition, the 100 Yellow will leave Champaign’s Walmart two minutes earlier and will also arrive at and leave from Market Place Mall two minutes earlier, with the layover at the mall eliminated.
U of I Campus/Downtown Champaign
The layover at the Illini Union for the 5W Green route is being eliminated. Previously, the bus stopped for a five-minute layover between 6:40 and 6:45 a.m. This change aims to keep the schedule on track for the rest of the westbound trip and the return eastbound trip, ultimately assisting the bus in arriving on time at Illinois Terminal for the 7:40 a.m. Universal Transfer.
For more information, visit www.mtd.org for schedule and route information.