This week the Connect to the Future Working Group approved final recommendations that envision a sustainable public service with decreased transportation costs for low-income and disabled residents in an affordable and equitable fare structure. Recommendations include a call for Connect Transit to be positioned as a viable, appealing transportation option for a greater segment of the Bloomington Normal public, an economic development engine, and a partner who is brought to the table for Land Use decisions and more.
Sustainable Funding
1. One Rate for All
• Raise the fixed route one-way rate from $1 to $1.25 for all riders.
• Reduce Connect Mobility one-way rates from $2.00/$3.00/$4.00 to $1.25.
• Revise the rate of the monthly unlimited pass for all Connect Mobility and fixed route riders to $40, with a
fare capping option for all.
2. To support these recommendations and address the structural deficit in how Connect Transit is funded, increase the City of Bloomington and Town of Normal combined annual investments by $500,000, in a phased approach.
Fiscal Year 2020-2021
Fiscal Year 2021-2022
This $500,000 will ensure continued qualification for DOAP dollars which brings total combined funding to
$1,428,571.
Note Recommendation #7 re the “MyConnect” public engagement campaign as a means of building broad
taxpayer support for increased investment of municipal resources in Bloomington/Normal public transportation.
Town: $100,000 increase per year
City: $150,000 increase per year
Connect to the Future Work Group Recommendations_January 2020 2
3. Reframe expanded Universal Access partnerships (higher contracts, more partners) with “MyConnect
Champions” as investments in a stronger public transit system for the benefit of all.
4. Explore the possibility of additional DOAP funding through municipalities transferring to Connect dollars
currently budgeted for sidewalks adjacent to bus stops.
Service Expansion
5. Extend Connect Mobility service to the City and Town limits.
Fare Free Pilot
6. Pilot Fare-Free transit on the backbone of our current system: the Green Route. Use a 6- to 12-month pilot to
engage Normal and Bloomington riders in the experiment of zero-fare public transit and gather ridership data
that is clear, measurable, and performance-based. For example:
• Ridership: total riders, first-time Connect Mobility riders, and first-time general population riders
• Level of rider satisfaction from surveys and focus groups
• Ontime performance (timely, reliable, consistent, practical resource)
• Business community endorsement of Connect based on increased use of the Green by employees and
customers/clients/patients
Gather, analyze, and post results data with maximum transparency, relying on it to inform continuation decisions. Continuation would require additional funding by a combination of public and private dollars.
“MyConnect” Community Education and Engagement
7. Best-practices-based community campaign educating riders of all kinds about the benefits of public transportation: the Connect community, results of the Green Route pilot, economic development, environmental justice, equity, affordability, Bloomington/Normal pride and connection. Engage community partners, build public confidence in Connect, and increase ridership.
8. Add Business, ISU student, and Heartland student members to Connect Transit Advisory Committee.
Policy
9. Regularly review Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) to ensure it is current and reflects the intentions of these recommendations.
Infrastructure and Land Use
10. Continue Better Bus Stops campaign.
• Complete 90 stops in 2020 and increase pace by 20% each year for 100% completion of current stops by 2024.
• Prioritize bus stops to be upgraded based on frequency of wheelchair ramp deployment and ridership.
11. Advocate for Downtown Transportation Center.
12. Commit to Transit-Supportive Development.
• Redefine Connect Transit as a primary planning partner, creating mechanisms in Bloomington and Normal municipal governments that require Agency participation in ordinance and code review.
• Include Connect Transit review of specific development construction plans, factoring their consultation into development decisions before submission to City and Town Council for approval
.
Future Pilot Action with Additional Funding
13. additional fixed route and/or on-demand service to select high-density areas.
• Prioritize target areas according to most-current census data like that sourced in the McLean County Regional Planning Commission Connect Transit Short-Range Transit Plan density map.
• Improve pilot design by partnering with the social service agencies which represent prospective new riders.
• Gather, post, and analyze results data with maximum transparency, relying on it to inform continuation decisions. Continuation would require additional funding by a combination of public and private dollars.
