A second temporary service contract will not be extended to Illinois State University following a vote by the Connect Transit Board of Trustees.
Without a contract, the bus service provided to Illinois State University would end Dec. 31, 2019. The contract has averaged a 2 percent increase for several years and this does not keep up with increased expenses to provide the service, according to Connect Transit.
Isaac Thorne, Connect Transit general manager stated that “staff listened very closely to the discussion and heard the frustration expressed by several trustees. We plan to speak with Illinois State University staff as soon as possible to reach a fair contract and ensure bus service for ISU is continued into 2020.”
Several trustees stated numerous times that they value the partnership with Illinois State University but also made clear it wants a fair contract that takes into consideration the cost to provide bus service to campus and community, according to Connect Transit, saying the board of trustees is eager to approve an agreement that continues to provide dedicated bus service to the Illinois State University area and access to the entire system community-wide for students, faculty and staff.
