CUMTD - News and Press Releases

No MTD Service Independence Day (July 4)

6/26/2008

There will be no MTD service on Friday, July 4, 2008 in observance of Independence Day. Normal MTD service will resume Saturday, July 5, 2008.

MTD Recognition of Employee Excellence June 1, 2008

6/11/2008

The Champaign-Urbana Mass Transit District acknowledged employee excellence at its 30th Annual Awards Presentation held June 1, 2008 at Illinois Terminal in Champaign. MTD operators, maintenance and administrative personnel, retirees, Illinois Terminal employees, and long-term employees were recognized at the banquet and awards presentation attended by C-U MTD Board members, employees, and their guests.

Outstanding Performance and Safety Awards were presented. Operator Safety Awards were presented for having zero preventable accidents in the previous calendar year. Criteria for awards also include excellence in customer service, performance, and attendance. Ed Durkin was recognized for his 25 years of Safety, and John Arrasmith and Brad Neumann were recognized for 20 years of Safety.

Operations Service Recognition Awards were presented to 64 employees. One Senior Operator Award for 10 years of Outstanding Service was presented to John Arrasmith. Master Operator Awards were presented to operators with five years of Outstanding Service who included Theresa Barnett, John Kevin Brown, Annette Goodrich, Dennis Larson, Marcus Morris, and Lewis Spurlock.

Outstanding MTD Maintenance Service and Illinois Terminal Recognition Awards were presented to 17 employees. Tim Stephens was recognized for 10 years of Outstanding Service.

This year’s longest-serving employees, with 30 years of experience, were Linda Fritchey, Ted Fritchey, Dave Gilliland, Don Huskisson, Pam Wasson, and Dennis Willoughby. Employees with 25 years of experience were Jim Goudie and Trai Nguyen. Retirees John Cleaver, Ron Lewis, and Joyce Smith were honored.

CU-MTD is proud of the safety records and outstanding performance of the many employees honored at the banquet. These employees personify and exemplify the District’s commitment to safety and performance excellence.

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.

SUMMER CAMPUS SERVICE REDUCED

5/8/2008

Due to the reduced demand for service in and around the University of Illinois Campus during the Summer months, the following service reductions are in effect throughout the summer.

21 QUAD
The regular 21 Quad service is not operating during the summer.

21 Quad Limited with service to Vet-Med (20 minute frequency) is operating for the summer - please see the Routes & Schedules for times.

22 ILLINI
The 22 Illini is not operating during the summer.

23 SHUTTLE EAST & WEST
Regular 23 Shuttle East & West service operates throughout the summer.

24 SCAMP/25 LOOP
The 24 Scamp and the 25 Loop do not operate during the summer.

26 PACK
The 26 Pack is not operating during the summer.

335 SAFERIDES
The 335 SafeRides is not operating during the summer.

LATE NIGHT
There is no late night service during the summer.

27AIR BUS
Regular 27 Air Bus service continues operating throughout the summer.

SUMMER SERVICE
21 Quad Limited, 23 E Shuttle, 23 W Shuttle, and 27 Air Bus routes do not operate on “All Campus Holidays” - Monday, May 26 & Friday, July 4

For more information, please call 384-8188.

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.