CUMTD - News and Press Releases

Car Sharing Coming to Champaign, Urbana and the University of Illinois

12/17/2008

Zipcar, the world’s largest provider of cars on demand by the hour or day, has partnered with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District, the city of Champaign and the city of Urbana to bring car sharing to the community. The partnership marks Zipcar’s entry to the area, bringing its operations to more than 50 cities, including, London, England, and 28 North American states and provinces.

Starting in mid-January, six self-service Zipcars – including Mazda 3s and a Prius Hybrid – will be available for use 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All UIUC students, faculty and staff 18 + and local residents 21 + can join the service, with gas, maintenance, insurance and reserved parking included in low hourly and daily rates.

More information on the partnership, including pricing and locations, will be available after January 19, 2009.

MTD Campus Service - Finals Week and Holiday Service Reduction

12/11/2008

The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District announces the following reductions in service for routes serving the University of Illinois campus beginning December 19, 2008.

21 Quad
Regular Quad service through 12/17/08
Quad service operates at 7-8 Min. frequency 12/18/08 and 12/19/08
Quad Limited To Vet-Med (20 Min. frequency) operates 12/22/08 - 01/16/09
No Quad Limited service 12/24/08, 12/25/08, 12/26/08, and 01/01/09
Full Quad service resumes 01/20/09

22 Illini
Regular Illini service through 12/19/08
Illini service W/30 Min. frequency Until 11:00p on Saturday 12/19/08
No Illini service from 12/21/08 - 01/18/09
Illini service resumes at 6:30p on 01/19/09

23 Shuttle East and West
Regular Shuttle East and West service continues
No Shuttle service 12/24/08, 12/25/08, 12/26/08, and 01/01/09

24 Scamp
Regular Scamp service through 12/19/08
No Scamp service from 12/22/08 - 01/19/09
Scamp service resumes 01/20/09

26 Pack
Regular Pack service through 12/17/08
3 Bus Pack (7-8 Min. frequency) operates 12/18/08 and 12/19/08
No Pack service from 12/22/07 - 01/19/09
Pack service resumes 01/20/09

27 Air Bus
Regular Air Bus service through 12/20/08
No Air Bus service from 12/21/08 - 01/18/09
Air Bus service resumes 01/19/09

5/50 GREENhopper
Regular GREENhopper service through 12/19/08
No GREENhopper service 12/20/08 - 01/19/09
GREENhopper service resumes 01/20/09

50 Green/100 Yellow Late Night
Regular Late Night service through 12/19/08
No Late Night service from 12/20/08 - 01/18/09
Late Night service resumes 01/19/09

SafeRides
Regular SafeRides service through 12/19/08
No SafeRides service from 12/20/08 - 01/18/09
SafeRides service resumes on 01/19/09

All Campus Holiday: No Campus service 01/19/09

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Finals and Winter Break Service Reductions

12/8/2008

12/05/08
FINALS WEEK & HOLIDAY SERVICE REDUCTION

21 QUAD:
REGULAR QUAD SERVICE THROUGH 12/17/08
3 BUS QUAD (7-8 MIN. FREQ.) OPERATES 12/18/08 & 12/19/08
QUAD LIMITED TO VET-MED (20 MIN. FREQ.) OPERATES 12/22/08 - 01/16/09
NO QUAD LIMITED SERVICE: 12/24/08, 12/25/08, 12/26/08, & 01/01/09
FULL QUAD SERVICE RESUMES 01/20/09

22 ILLINI:
REGULAR ILLINI SERVICE THROUGH 12/19/08
ILLINI SERVICE W/30 MIN. FREQ. UNTIL 11:00P ON SATURDAY 12/19/08
NO ILLINI SERVICE FROM 12/21/08 - 01/18/09
ILLINI SERVICE RESUMES AT 6:30P ON 01/19/09

23 SHUTTLE EAST & WEST:
REGULAR SHUTTLE EAST & WEST SERVICE CONTINUES
NO SHUTTLE SERVICE: 12/24/08, 12/25/08, 12/26/08, & 01/01/09

24 SCAMP:
REGULAR SCAMP SERVICE THROUGH 12/19/08
NO SCAMP SERVICE FROM 12/22/08 - 01/19/09
SCAMP SERVICE RESUMES 01/20/09

26 PACK:
REGULAR PACK SERVICE THROUGH 12/17/08
3 BUS PACK (7-8 MIN. FREQ.) OPERATES 12/18/08 & 12/19/08
NO PACK SERVICE FROM 12/22/07 - 01/19/09
FULL PACK SERVICE RESUMES 01/20/09

5/50 GREEN HOPPER
REGULAR HOPPER SERVICE THROUGH THE 12/19/08
NO HOPPER SERVICE 12/20/08 - 01/19/09
FULL HOPPER SERVICE RESUMES 01/20/09

SAFERIDES:
REGULAR SAFERIDES SERVICE THROUGH 12/19/08
NO SAFERIDES SERVICE FROM 12/20/08 - 01/18/09
SAFERIDES SERVICE RESUMES ON 01/19/09

50 GREEN/100 YELLOW LATE NIGHT:
REGULAR LATE NIGHT SERVICE THROUGH 12/19/08
NO LATE NIGHT SERVICE FROM 12/20/08 - 01/18/09
LATE NIGHT SERVICE RESUMES 01/19/09

27 AIR BUS:
REGULAR AIR BUS SERVICE THROUGH 12/20/08
NO AIR BUS SERVICE FROM 12/21/08 - 01/18/09
AIR BUS SERVICE RESUMES 01/19/09

ALL CAMPUS HOLIDAY: NO CAMPUS SERVICE 01/19/09

Thousands of Illini Fans Took MTD Service to Football Games

11/19/2008

The MTD’s direct service to Memorial Stadium for University of Illinois men’s football games proved popular with Illini fans in 2008. The 28 tranSPORT provided almost 6,000 rides this year, an average of nearly 1,000 to each of the home games this season. Not surprisingly, early season warm weather games had the lowest ridership with a peak ridership of 1,336 for the Indiana game on October 18.

The route was introduced in 2007 when Memorial Stadium was being refurbished and a number of parking areas were inaccessible. Fans quickly realized, however, that 28 tranSPORT is a great way to get to the game without having to pay for parking or become part of the traffic congestion before and after the game. Ridership increased in 2008 as more and more fans became familiar with the service and its convenience.

28 tranSPORT service begins at the parking deck at Goodwin Avenue and University Avenue with stops at Springfield and Goodwin, the Alumni Center on Gregory Place, and Goodwin and Nevada. Free parking is available at the parking deck, and at several surface lots along the route. Passengers disembark close to Memorial Stadium at the corner of Fourth and Kirby, and board at this same location for the return trip. Buses operate every 15 minutes starting two hours before game time, return as needed during the game, and operate for 30 minutes following the end of the game. The roundtrip fare is $2 with exact change needed and payable when boarding the bus.

The 28 tranSPORT will operate to Illini football games again in 2009.

MTD One of "10 Great Transit Systems to Work For"

10/8/2008

The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District is happy to announce that it has been selected as one of “10 Great Transit Systems to Work For” by Metro Magazine and TransitTalent.com.

The publications sought to recognize 10 transit systems as great places to work. To that end, invitations were sent to executives at more than 200 transit systems in the U.S. and Canada, resulting in 37 entries. The MTD submitted a 750-word application, and more than 50 employees were surveyed by the magazine, and was chosen as one of 10 transit agencies selected as "Great Transit Systems to Work For."

High per capita ridership and exceptional customer satisfaction (95% satisfied or very satisfied in a 2008 random phone survey) are due in no small part to the outstanding employees who work for the MTD. The MTD’s ability to attract and retain its excellent workforce is largely because it is one of the best transit systems in the country, and an excellent regional employer.

The MTD’s stable leadership has created an open and familial environment for employees with Directors and Managers very accessible to employees. In addition to being readily available when concerns arise, every three months Managing Director Bill Volk spends an entire day meeting with employees to discuss whatever is on their minds. The MTD’s Core Values of committing to ‘yes’; providing outstanding customer and public service; developing long-term, positive relationships; and embracing opportunity and innovation are acknowledged and valued at all levels of the company.

Critically important components of managerial/employee relationships are the eight committees structured for guidance and input on key policy, communication, and social activities. The committees’ responsibilities span various organizational components; each is chaired by an administrative staff member and staffed by operational and maintenance personnel. Committee members review policies and procedures, coordinate on activities and communications, and develop and lead social activities. Committees have significant input on the direction in which the MTD is headed, and ensure that employee attitudes and opinions are known and respected.

Those chosen along with the MTD were Alexandria Transit Co. (DASH), Alexandria, VA; Capital Area Transit Authority, Lansing, MI; Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority, Dayton, OH; Greater Hartford Transit District, Hartford, CT; GRTC Transit System, Richmond, VA; Orange County Transportation Authority, Orange, CA; Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada, Las Vegas, NV; Riverside Transit Agency, Riverside, CA; and SunLine Transit Agency, Thousand Palms, CA.

The MTD has long realized that its greatest assets are the employees who choose to work for the District, and is proud to have been chosen as one of the “10 Greatest” systems to work for.

To read the entire article, please click here. The article is also available in Metro Magazine’s September/October 2008 issue.

University Faculty, Staff, and Students

8/21/2008

University Faculty, Staff, and Students pay no cash fare to ride MTD buses. Simply board any campus route including the 21 Quad, 22 Illini, 23 Shuttle East and West, and 26 Pack without showing an ID. It will be necessary for you to show the operator your ID on any other MTD route. On campus, many routes have designated stops which are the only places the bus will stop. Buses don't automatically stop at these locations unless riders are waiting to board, so please be sure to request a stop by pulling the yellow cord.

Except when designated stops are indicated on the route map, MTD buses will stop at any intersection at which it is safe to do so. There doesn't have to be a bus stop sign.

MTD buses serve all area shopping destinations, entertainment venues, and both downtowns. You can subscribe to get information about YOUR route at YOUR stop using our STOPwatch system. Check here to learn all about it.

Be sure to take advantage of our frequent and convenient service when you gotta get there. Don't hesitate to contact us or ask your operator if you have any questions. It always helps if you know your beginning and ending addresses, and what time and day you'll be traveling.

Knock, Knock...

8/21/2008

Kidding!

Just trying to trick you into reading about SAFETY.

We know , we know, we know. You know! But you can never be reminded too often to practice safe behaviors. Here are a few reminders:

Watch for vehicles when you're walking.

It's a well-known fact that busy streets self-police. Use that to your advantage.

Turn down your iPod while walking to class; make sure you can hear sirens or cars honking.

Look before you cross the street. Only cross at crosswalks.

Carry a cell phone and call someone if you need help.

Find out where the emergency phones are on campus, and use them!

Use the buddy system. There really is "safety in numbers."

If you feel unsafe, hail a bus. Tell the driver you are feeling uncomfortable, and they will help you get help.

Park in a well-lit, heavily populated area. Consider what the area will look like after dark.

Bicyclists should be aware of pedestrians and automobiles while cycling.

Cost of Driving Calculator

5/19/2008

How Much Does it Cost to Drive?

Have you ever wondered how much it costs to drive your car to work on a yearly basis? Sure, you know how much your gas cost is, but do you also factor in the cost of maintenance, insurance, and other periodic expenditures? Try our easy-to-use driving cost calculator. Compare the results against what it would cost you to ride the MTD and see how much money you could save.

To use the calculator, enter the distance you drive; the number of days per month you work; the amount of fuel your vehicle burns per mile; the cost per gallon for your fuel; and other costs associated with driving such as insurance and parking costs. The calculator will then figure out how much you spend every month and every year.

If that cost seems too high, think about taking the bus. The one-way fare is $1.00, or you can purchase 6 tokens for $5.00 from your bus operator. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities ride free with their DASH pass, available for no charge at Illinois Terminal. For even greater savings, purchase a pass. An MTD adult annual pass costs only $235, a Summer pass valid June through August is $35, a Fall pass valid August through December is $115, and a Spring pass valid January through May is $115. All of these passes allow the rider unlimited rides during the valid time period.

Give us a call at 217.384.8188 or check out 'About Us' for more information.

The American Public Transportation Association has another cost calculator at http://apta.com/services/transit_calculator/index.cfm -- results should be similar to what you've found above.

Bus Stop Relocation - Champaign County Courthouse

4/28/2008

The MTD bus stop near the Champaign County Courthouse in downtown Urbana has been relocated to Broadway and Elm. The relocated stop was on the Courthouse side of Broadway Avenue in downtown Urbana between Main Street and Elm Street. The new stop is on the northeast corner of Broadway and Elm, and the stop is equipped with a bus shelter. The bus stop will remain at this location until further notice.

This move is necessary to allow access to the Courthouse for the project to restore the Courthouse’s clock and bell tower. The current Courthouse shelters will be removed and that area will be fenced off for the construction project. The MTD bus stop on the west side of Broadway between Main Street and Elm Street is unaffected.

Public Transportation Reduces Greenhouse Gases and Conserves Energy

3/12/2008

The American Public Transportation Association has announced results of a study titled “Broadening the Connection between Public Transportation and Energy Conservation.” The study found that the most energy efficient households in America producing the least amount of carbon are located within close proximity of a bus or rail line. The people in those households drive an average of 4,400 fewer miles annually as compared to persons in similar households with no access to public transportation. Public transportation users in the U.S. save the equivalent of 4.2 billion gallons of gasoline annually—more than 11 million gallons of gasoline per day.

While many of the results are applicable at the national level and especially in large cities, even in small communities like ours the use of public transportation is something that an individual can do TODAY to reduce their carbon footprint, and to help alleviate congestion. The study reports that people living in households near public transportation travel 12 fewer miles per day which is 27% less than persons in households with no access to public transit. This equates to an individual household reduction of 223 gallons of gasoline a year. By eliminating one car and taking public transportation instead of driving, a savings of up to 30% of carbon dioxide emissions can be realized.

For complete study results and more information, visit the APTA website.

Public Transportation Saves $6,200 Per Household

3/2/2007

The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) has completed a study indicating that households can save up to $6,200/year by using public transportation. Link here.